Page 128 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - ΜΑΙΟΣ 2024

HORIZON FROM THE BRIDGE

Τhrough a seafarer's eyes

SHIPPING INDUSTRY CALLS FOR UN The global shipping industry, reacting to the seizure
HELP AFTER IRAN’S REVOLUTIONARY of the MSC Aries, has sent an urgent joint letter to
GUARDS SEIZE MSC ARIES AT THE the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio
STRAITS OF HORMUZ Guterres, urging the UN to do more to protect mari-
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards seized the container ves- time security and innocent seafarers. The open letter,
sel MSC Aries in the Strait of Hormuz days after Teh- co-signed by 16 maritime industry associations and
ran vowed to retaliate for a suspected Israeli strike on social partners, calls for assistance and for all mem-
its consulate in Damascus on 1 April. Iran had said it ber states to be reminded of their responsibilities
could close the crucial shipping route. The 25 crew under international law. In detail, the undersigning
members of the MSC Aries, which was seized by Iran bodies stated:
on 13 April, are being gradually released. “The maritime industry, represented by the organ-
The International Transport Workers’ Federation isations behind this letter, are grateful for the rec-
(ITF), the leading seafarers’ union, said that their ognition that the UN Security Council and you per-
priority was the welfare and safety of the seafarers sonally have placed on the shipping industry and
onboard. the importance of the free movement as set out in
Portugal’s foreign ministry summoned Iran’s ambas- international law. We also thank and applaud IMO
sador to condemn the attack on Israel by Tehran Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez for all the
and to demand the immediate release of the Portu- hard work raising the profile of shipping and our sea-
guese-flagged ship. farers. However, the seizure of the MSC Aries by Ira-

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