Client Advisory: MSC Aries Vessel situation

On Saturday, April 13th, Iranian special forces seized a Portuguese-flagged cargo ship, the “MSC Aries.” Iran’s Foreign Ministry claimed the ship was detained for breaching maritime laws.

The vessel, which is operated by Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC), was seized near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical channel that facilitates the passage of about 20% of the world's daily oil consumption and leads to Jebel Ali, one of the globe's top container ports.

The ship was traveling from Khalifa Port in the UAE to Jawaharlal Nehru Port in India. MSC disclosed that there were 25 crew members onboard and that they are working with authorities to ensure their safety.

It has since been reported that the vessel had been re-directed toward Iranian waters and that the vessel’s AIS tracking system had been turned off.

MSC advised that they will continue to provide uninterrupted and regular service on the Himalaya Express and all other services operating in the region.

There is much uncertainty around the vessel’s fate and the cargo onboard. It is possible that losses may occur, which may include the declaration of General Average. If your shipment(s) had been on board then one of our Customer Service team members will be reaching out to you to keep you updated on the latest developments.

For all your ocean freight requirements, don't hesitate to reach out to our team here