Iranian authorities release Maersk Tigris

The containership was released early Thursday morning after Maersk provided a letter of understanding related to the underlying cargo case.    The containership Maersk Tigris was released on Thursday, May 7, after being under arrest for more than a week in Iran.
   Rickmers Group, which manages the ship, said the Maersk Tigris with its 24 crewmembers on board, was officially released by Iranian authorities following an order from a court in Bandar Abbas. The ship is owned by an investor group affiliated with Oaktree Captial Management in Los Angeles.
   Rickmers said the release followed Maersk Line putting up security in relation to the underlying court case.
   The company added it was “delighted” with the decision and that all members of the crew are in a good condition.
   “The news has been conveyed to the families of the seafarers,” added Rickmers, and it thanked the seafarers “for their very professional and calm handling of the situation.”
   “Maersk Tigris will continue its scheduled voyage to Jebel Ali where representatives of Rickmers Group and other relevant parties will attend the crew and the vessel. We will be talking to the crew members individually and providing support suitable to each person’s wishes and situation. These arrangements will remain private,” said Rickmers.
   Maersk said of the news, “The release follows a constructive dialogue with the Iranian authorities, including the Ports and Maritime Organization, and the provision of a letter of undertaking in relation to the underlying cargo case. We will continue our dialogue with the aim to fully resolve the cargo case.”
   “The letter of undertaking is related to the cargo case and the ruling from Feb 18 in which the appeal court of Tehran ordered Maersk Line to pay the Iranian company $163,000,” added Michael Storgaard, a Maersk spokesman. “We have throughout accepted the ruling and have and remain willing to pay in accordance with same. We are not able to comment on the next steps, but we are ready to continue the dialogue in order to close the cargo case. “
   The Maersk Tigris was transiting the Strait of Hormuz on April 28, when it was approached, fired upon and seized by Iranian patrol boats and forced to anchor near Bandar Abbas. Maersk said earlier this week the seizure was apparently related to a cargo case from 2005 that involved 10 containers it transported on behalf of an Iranian company.