DUBAI: A tanker flying the Marshall Islands flag was released by Iran on Wednesday along with all 21 crew members, according to the ship’s managers. Tehran had taken the ship without cause just days before.
Tehran did not immediately respond to the Talara’s release, which was Iran’s first ship seizure in months. Following Iran’s 12-day conflict with Israel in June and ongoing worries about the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program, the Middle East is still volatile.
The crew “are safe and in good spirits,” according to Columbia Shipmanagement, based in Cyprus. The ship may now return to regular operations once we notify their families, the company stated. No allegations were made against the vessel, her crew, and the vessel’s managers and owners,” the statement continued.
According to ship-tracking data, the ship was traveling in ballast when Iranian authorities offloaded its high sulfur gasoil cargo. Iran appears to have offloaded its cargo on Tuesday before releasing it, according to the oil shipment website Tanker Trackers, which cited satellite images.
Iran’s military apprehended the ship on Friday as it passed through the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow opening in the Arabian Gulf that handles 20% of all oil transport. The ship was headed to Singapore from Ajman, United Arab Emirates.
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