SEA Intelligence platform Linerlytica has confirmed that the MSC Aries, which was seized by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) more than a year ago, was released from detention earlier this year.
The 14,952-TEU vessel was detained on April 13, 2024, and was released 369 days later, according to South Africa's Freight News.
Although AIS tracking information has only been confirmed now, at a time when Iran is under attack by both Israel and the US, it can be confirmed that the vessel departed from Bandar Abbas on April 17 and arrived at Antwerp on June 21.
Chartered by Mediterranean Shipping Company, it is owned by Gortal Shipping, an affiliate of Zodiac Maritime.
The vessel, which had been operating on a service route for MSC, was seized by the IRGCN as it passed through the Strait of Hormuz.
The incident occurred amidst escalating tensions between Iran and Israel following a deadly Israeli airstrike on Iran's consulate in Damascus earlier that month.
The seizure of the MSC Aries was widely interpreted as a retaliatory move by Tehran.
Iranian state media confirmed the detention shortly after the event, citing "violations of maritime regulations", though no formal charges were ever made public.
While MSC operated the vessel under a time charter agreement, Iranian authorities appeared to focus on the ownership structure, hinting at its Israeli links as a justification for the seizure.
Following its capture, the vessel was taken to the Port of Bandar Abbas where it remained under guard.
In May 2024, Iran allowed the crew - comprising mostly Indian nationals - to disembark on humanitarian grounds. However, the vessel itself remained impounded for an extended period, reportedly as part of ongoing judicial proceedings in Iran.
https://www.shippingazette.com/news?news_id=9250600000739
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