A Greek-managed container ship has been seized by Iranian forces in the Strait of Hormuz, the vessel’s management has confirmed, and Iranian media said the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard was bringing it to Iran.
The Liberian-flagged Epaminondas is one of three ships Iranian forces opened fire on Wednesday. A second of the vessels, the MSC Francesca, was also being escorted to Iran.
Technomar, the Epaminondas’ management company, confirmed that the Iranian forces had boarded the vessel after it was attacked 20 nautical miles off the coast of Oman and said the crew was safe.
The Epaminondas has 21 Ukrainian and Filipino officers and crew on board.
“Technomar remains in close communication with the relevant authorities in the region,” the company said in a statement. “Our priority remains the safety and well-being of our crew as we work with all relevant stakeholders to ensure their continued safety and urgently resolve the matter.”
Technomar said the ship suffered damage to the bridge during the attack.
Initially, Greece’s Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Ministry had denied that the ship was seized and said it remained stationary off the Iranian coast under the command of its captain.
A third vessel, the Liberia-flagged container ship Euphoria, was fired upon in the same area but was not damaged.
Before the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, about a fifth of the world’s traded oil was shipped through the Strait of Hormuz.
Source: ekathimerini.com