Iran Releases All Filipino Crewmembers From Seized Container Ship MSC Aries

All Filipino crew members aboard the Portuguese-flagged MSC Aries, seized by Iranian officials, have safely returned home.

The Philippines’ Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed the return of the final three Filipino crew members on August 01, 2024.

The MSC Aries was captured by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on April 13, 2024, while transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

The vessel, with a crew of 23 members, was taken into Iranian custody amid rising tensions following a suspected Israeli strike on an Iranian consulate in Damascus.

Iran accused the ship of violating maritime laws and alleged links to Israel, a claim disputed by the shipping industry.

There were four Filipino crew members onboard the vessel. One was freed earlier in May due to health concerns, while the remaining three were brought back to the Philippines on August 01, 2024.

Video Credits: Reuters/YouTube

Hans Cacdac, Secretary of the DMW, expressed gratitude to the ship’s owner, the Iranian government, and other parties involved for their assistance in the repatriation process.

The MSC Aries affiliated with Zodiac Maritime, chartered, managed and operated by MSC, and its cargo is still under Iranian custody.

Despite this, Iran agreed to replace the crew members at the end of their contracts to keep the vessel operational.

The seizure of the MSC Aries sparked a global outrage, with the shipping industry urging the United Nations to enhance maritime security and protect the seafarers from such incidents.

The incident also highlighted broader regional tensions, with Iranian-backed Houthis launching attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

The Philippines continues to request the release of the crew from the Galaxy Leader, a car carrier detained in Yemen since November 2023.

Unlike the Houthis, Iran has shown willingness to negotiate and repatriate crew members from seized vessels.

Reference: Global Nation

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