The last three remaining seamen of the “MSC Aries” have returned safely to the Philippines.
The container ship was seized by Iranian authorities in April while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The men were part of a crew of four who remained on board. One of them had already been released in May due to health problems.
“MSC Aries” still under Iranian control
Hans Cacdac, Secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), explained that the three had “quietly returned home” last Thursday without being widely reported. He thanked the DFA, the shipowner and “of course the Iranian government” for allowing them to return.
The “MSC Aries” (15,000 TEU, built in 2020), which was sailing with a crew of 25 under the Portuguese flag, was hijacked by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard on 13 April. The incident occurred shortly after Tehran vowed to retaliate for an – alleged – Israeli attack on the consulate in Damascus. The Iranian Foreign Ministry said the “MSC Aries” had been seized for “violations of shipping laws” and claimed it was directly linked to Israel. Most of the crew were released in May, but the ship is still under Iranian control.
The container ship is operated by Gortal Shipping, a subsidiary of Zodiac Maritime, which is partly owned by Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer. The ship was chartered by the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).
