The 5,466 teu Maersk Tigris, chartered from Rickmers, was seized by the Iranian Navy after warning shots were fired across its bow. According to Iranian media reports the vessel was detained over outstanding payments to the Iran Ports and Maritime Organisation.
“We are continuing our efforts to obtain more information about the Iranian authorities’ seizure - in international waters - of Maersk Tigris. We are not able at this point to establish or confirm the reason behind the seizure,” Maersk said in an emailed statement.
The company added that it was in ongoing contact with the vessel’s managers, Rickmers Shipmanagement, “and are pleased to learn that the crew is safe and under the circumstances in good spirits. The well-being of the crew remains our paramount concern.”
Maersk said it was also in close dialogue with the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Marshall Islands flagged vessel is deployed on Maersk’s ME3 service between the Black Sea and the Persian Gulf.
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