Amosup, ICS call for release of seafarers

THE International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the Associated Marine Officers and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines (Amosup) called for the release of the 25 seafarers aboard the MSC Aries, a container ship seized by Iranian forces on Saturday, April 13.

In a statement released Tuesday by Amosup, the union expressed concern over the welfare and safety of the crew, four of whom are Filipinos, 17 are Indian, and the rest Pakistani and Russian.

“While we welcome the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW)’s update that the 25 crew members are in good condition, we urgently call upon all the concerned international and national authorities, as well as the licensed manning agency, ship manager and ship owner, to do everything in their power to ensure the safe and secure repatriation of our seafarers,” Amosup said.

It offered its full support, through legal assistance and access to mental health counseling, to the families of the seafarers who were caught in the escalating tension in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, ICS condemned the seizure of MSC Aries and appealed for the welfare of its crew.

“The welfare of the 25 innocent seafarers that are now being held hostage are the highest priority, and ICS calls for the immediate release of the seafarers and the ship,” Guy Platten, secretary general of ICS, said.

“Iran’s seizure of the MSC Aries is a flagrant breach of international law and an assault on freedom of navigation,” he added.

“This reprehensible attack against a merchant ship once again places innocent seafarers on the front lines of geopolitical conflict. Our thoughts are with the 25 seafarers who are now captives of Iran and with the families who are now in fear for their loved ones’ safety. Iran must release the ship as a matter of urgency,” Platten said.

ICS is a global trade association for shipowners and operators, representing the world’s national shipowner associations and over 80 percent of the world’s merchant fleet.

Iran’s state-run IRNA News Agency said the incident comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and Israel over the regime’s attack on the Iranian consulate in Syria on April 1, which killed several Iranian military advisors, including two IRGC senior commanders.

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Special Naval Force seized the Portuguese-flagged vessel near the Strait of Hormuz, claiming it was linked to Israel.

MSC Aries is registered in Madeira, flying the flag of Portugal. It is chartered by MSC Mediterranean Shipping Co. and is owned and operated by Zodiac Maritime Shipping Co., which Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer partly owns.