19-1-2024 (MANILA) An oil tanker, the St. Nikolas, seized by Iran in the Gulf of Oman last week, has seen the release of one crew member who is now en route to Athens, according to the vessel’s Greek owner on Thursday.
Out of the total crew of 19, comprising 18 Filipinos and one Greek, the Greek cadet has been freed and is being accompanied by Greece’s ambassador in Iran, as confirmed by Empire Navigation, the ship’s owner, in a statement.
Efforts are underway to secure the release of the remaining crew members who are still on board the Marshall Islands-flagged vessel, currently anchored near the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas. Negotiations are being conducted, and the Philippines’ ambassador in Iran is expected to visit as part of the ongoing discussions.
Empire Navigation reassured that the 18 sailors still aboard the ship are in good health and maintaining contact with their families.
The incident occurred when the St. Nikolas, carrying 145,000 tonnes of oil from Iraq and en route to Turkey, was seized by Iran. Iranian state media reported that the action was taken in response to the alleged “theft” of its oil from the same tanker, then known as the Suez Rajan, by the United States last year.
The United States has strongly condemned the “unlawful seizure” and has demanded the immediate release of the ship and its entire crew.
