Wed Apr 29, 2015 10:13
EXCLUSIVE: Iran Denies Report on Seized Ship, Maersk Tigris Kept in Custody
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940209001598

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran's Ports and Maritime Organization announced on Wednesday
that the Marshall Islands-flagged trade ship that Iranian naval forces
seized in the Persian Gulf on Tuesday is still in custody upon a court
order, rejecting an Arab media report that the vessel has been freed.

"Despite some claims about the status of the seized ship, the vessel, Maersk
Tigris, is still in custody," IPMO Deputy Chief Hadi Haqshenas told FNA on
Wednesday, rejecting two Al-Jazeera urgent news reports on Tuesday night and
Wednesday alleging that the Marshall Islands-flagged ship has been freed by
Iran to continue its voyage.

"The ship is still held in Shaheed Bahonar Port and the report about its
release is hereby denied," the official reiterated.

The Iranian naval forces seized the trade vessel with all its 34 crew
yesterday and immediately took it to Shaheed Bahonar Port in Southern Iran.

After informed sources told FNA last night that "the ship ... has been
seized by the Iranian naval forces at the request of Iran's Ports and
Maritime Organization", Haqshenas explained in his today remarks that Maersk
Tigris has been engaged in payment disputes with the Iranian "Pars Tala'eyeh
Oil Products Company" for several years.

He said the Iranian company had "started litigation in recent years to sue
Maersk Line Shipping Co.", adding that "after the court of appeal upheld the
initial court ruling in the favor of the Iranian company, ordering Maersk
Line Shipping Co. to make up for the financial losses of the plaintiff, the
decree was sent to Iran's Ports and Maritime Organization - which is in
charge of maritime affairs according to the international laws and
regulations - on March 15, 2015 to be put into effect".

"The IPMO then requested the operational forces to put the court ruling in
action," Haqshenas continued.

Haqshenas's statements were later today repeated in an official statement of
the IPMO, where the organization underscored that the seizure was "purely
the result of a legal case and not a military development in nature".

The statement also added that all the moves made with regard to the vessel,
including the court proceedings and ruling, "fully comply with the
international laws and maritime rules and regulations".

"The IPMO is no party of interest in this litigation by any means as it has
never filed any complaint against the abovementioned (Maersk) company," the
statement emphasized.

"Given the legal nature of the case and considering that the responsibility
for the seized vessel falls under the judicial authority now, its release
will only be possible through a judicial decree," it stressed.

The IPMO statement also reiterated that Maersk Co. has been fully briefed
about the detailed measures adopted with regard to the vessel and the crew
since its seizure in the Strait of Hormuz yesterday.

Later today, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marziyeh Afkham also made
similar remarks, stressing the legal nature of the seizure.

She also underlined that the crew are "fully sound and healthy" and "have
been provided with full consular access".

Maersk Co. confirmed on Wednesday that the crew is safe. Cor Radings, a
spokesman for the ship’s operator, Rickmers Ship Management in Singapore,
said the company had been in touch by phone with the crew earlier in the
day.

“We have had the confirmation that they are in relatively good condition and
safe on board the ship,” he said.

Radings identified the crew members as “mainly from Eastern Europe and
Asia.” He said the ship was owned by “private investors” but would not
elaborate.

Iranian sources had earlier stated that the crew members were from Britain,
Bulgaria, Romania and Myanmar.

International law recognizes Iran that has the lengthiest coastline (more
than 2,000km) on the rims of the Persian Gulf as to be in charge of security
in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

In Iran, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy is responsible for
protecting security of territorial waters in the Persian Gulf, while the
naval forces of the regular army are in charge of security in the Caspian
Sea as well as missions in the high seas.