Iran may not be known for its equal treatment of women, depending on your cultural background and worldview, but its release of a female cadet seafarer from the oil tanker it seized in the Strait of Hormuz on April 13 will no doubt not go unnoticed.
Ann Tessa Joseph, who was on board the MSC Aries when members of the Iranian military rappelled from a helicopter gunship onto the deck of the crude carrier as it was sailing about 50 nautical miles (92.6km) north-east of Fujairah, has since the ordeal returned to Kochi in India.
Joseph was one of the 17 crew on board the tanker when it was seized by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and her release was secured by India’s Ministry of External Affairs, allowing her to recount what happened.
She said she was preparing for work when she saw an armed soldier on the vessel’s deck.
Moments later a siren sounded, summoning all crew to the bridge where the seafarers, all of them from India, a leading oil trader with Iran, were told the Aries had been placed under the control of the IRGC.
Joseph recalls that everyone was taken by surprise as the previous month a similar voyage had been completed, also around the Strait of Hormuz, without any incident.
She told Indian newspaper, Mathrubhumi: “After the ship was seized, the guards informed us that we were under their control. But the crew members faced no difficulties from the Iranian guards. They behaved cordially and provided us with food and other necessities.
“My biggest tension was that I couldn’t inform my family. We were not given internet connectivity for two days, and during that time we had no way to contact anyone outside.
“We knew that our families had been informed of the capture and we were tense thinking that they would worry about us.”
Gripped by uncertainty about the fate that was awaiting them, Joseph, the only female in her crew, was suddenly called aside and informed to get ready to fly home.
Since her arrival in India, the shipping industry has rallied around the risk of continuing to serve the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, lobbying the United Nations to intervene in the ongoing threat against maritime vessels and their crew.
Since last November’s hijacking of a roll-on roll-of vessel in the Red Sea by Houthi rebels, six commercial vessels have been captured in the wider Middle East region by Iran and its proxies, predominantly Yemen’s Islamist Ansar Allah militia.
A letter signed by key executives from the liner trade and sent to UN secretary-general António Guterres, unequivocally calls for an end to the threat seafarers face at the hands of countries and armed movements disrupting sea trade.
Referring to the hijacking of the MSC Aries, it says: “The incident has once again highlighted the intolerable situation where shipping has become a target. This is unacceptable.
"We have seen a worrying increase in the attacks on shipping. Shipping is not a target with no victims. Innocent seafarers have been killed, seafarers are being held hostage. This would be unacceptable on land, and it is unacceptable at sea.
“The world would be outraged if four airlines were seized and held hostage with innocent souls onboard. Regrettably, there does not seem to be the same response or concern for the four commercial vessels and their crews being held hostage.
“Seafarers kept the world fed and warm during the pandemic with vital medicine, food and fuel delivered, irrespective of politics. Seafarers and the maritime sector are neutral and must not be politicised. It is the moral duty to protect seafarers.
“Shipping is a resilient industry; throughout history, it has delivered trade in the face of the most overwhelming threats and circumstances. The industry associations ask that all member states be formally reminded of their responsibilities under international law. And we ask that all efforts possible are brought to bear to release the seafarers and protect the safe transit of ships."
The plea was signed by Yuichi Sonoda, secretary general of the Asian Shipowners’ Association; David Loosley, secretary general & CEO of the Baltic and International Maritime Council (Bimco), Guy Platten, secretary general of the International Chamber of Shipping; and John Butler, president and CE of the World Shipping Council.
