Iran says Maersk ship arrested ‘for debt’

A Maersk Line cargo ship seized in the Strait of Hormuz by the Islamic Republic was because of some unpaid debt, Maritime Deputy Director of Iran’s Ports and Sailing Organization Hadi Haqshenas said.

Maersk Line owes some money to an Iranian company and the court has ruled that Maersk should pay the debt, he said, Fars news agency reported April 29.

Maersk Line is the global container division and the largest operating unit of the A.P. Moller – Maersk Group, a Danish business conglomerate. It is world's largest container shipping company having customers through 374 offices in 116 countries.

On April 28 Iranian patrol vessels fired warning shots and ordered the ship to sail further into Iranian waters when the ship was passing through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Shippingwatch.

At first, Maersk Tigris ignored the order, but after the warning shots it obeyed the order. The ship is registered under the flag of the Marshall Islands.

Haqshenas said a complaint by an Iranian company resulted in a court ruling on March 16 which demanded the debt be paid.

The arrest was carried out by the Coast Guard and authorized by Iran’s Joint Staff of Armed Forces.

/By Trend/