Owners says 'imperative' they are granted access to tanker Stena Impero seized by Iran

On Wednesday Iran sent a letter to the UN Security Council saying that the Stena Impero collided with a

small fishing boat on July 19, and badly injured its crew, some of whom remain in critical condition, the Iranian Fars News Agency reported.

In a statement on Sunday Stena Bulk: Following a letter from Iranian authorities to the United Nations Security Council outlining alleged violations of international rules and regulations, including an unconfirmed collision, Stena Bulk and Northern Marine Management consider it imperative we are granted access to the vessel to conduct a full assessment. We continue to await a response from Iranian authorities to our request.”

Read all the Seatrade Maritime News coverage of the seizure of the Stena Impero

Stena Bulk reiterated that there was no evidence that the vessel had broken international regulations.

“As previously stated, from the information we have, there is no current evidence the ship has breached any maritime rules or regulations, and we stand behind the professionalism and conduct of the crew of the Stena Impero,” the shipowner said.

“We hope this situation can be resolved swiftly and will continue to hold an open dialogue with all involved governments and authorities to secure the release of the crew and vessel.”

The tanker was seized in the Straits of Hormuz on July 19 and remains under detention in Bandar Abbas and its crew are reported to be in good health.