Shipping associations call for coordinated military action following the seizure of MSC Aries by Iranian forces.
The global shipping industry has issued a plea to the United Nations for increased coordinated military presence, missions, and patrols to safeguard seafarers in the wake of the recent seizure of MSC Aries by Iranian forces. The incident occurred 50 nautical miles northeast of Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, on April 13, 2024. In a letter addressed to António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, industry leaders expressed grave concern over the escalating attacks on shipping, emphasising the need for immediate action to protect innocent lives and ensure the safe transit of vessels.
Highlighting the vulnerability of seafarers and the neutral stance of the maritime sector, the letter emphasised the moral imperative to shield them from harm. Signatories including Yuichi Sonoda of the Asian Shipowners’ Association, David Loosley of BIMCO, Guy Platten of the International Chamber of Shipping, and John Butler of the World Shipping Council called on all member states to uphold their obligations under international law and rally efforts for the release of captive seafarers.
In a related development, Ann Tessa Joseph, an Indian cadet among the 17 crew members of MSC Aries, returned to Kochi on April 18, 2024. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) assured that the remaining crew members are in good health and are in contact with their families. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had earlier engaged in discussions with his Iranian counterpart to address the situation and ensure the well-being of the Indian crew members.
