Iran claims seizure of two MSC-operated boxships while transiting the Strait of Hormuz
TEHRAN : Iran’s IRGC claimed it seized two containerships, MSC Francesca (red) and Epaminondas (yellow), as the vessels attempted to pass the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday (Image taken 1100 hrs April 22). Two large MSC-operated containerships were seized or fired upon after Iran claimed they lacked transit permits, despite crew reports of no prior warnings.
Greek Ministry of Shipping however denies that Technomar Shipping-owned Epaminondas has been seized, stating the containership sustained ‘extensive damage’ after being attacked. A third vessel, the Silmar‑operated Euphoria, was also targeted hours later, though it escaped damage and continued toward the Gulf of Oman.
The incidents follow the US Navy’s seizure of the Iranian‑flagged Touska, intensifying an already volatile security environment in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy says its has seized two MSC‑affiliated containerships and fired on a third vessel in a series of escalating confrontations in the Strait of Hormuz, amid rising tensions following the US Navy’s interception of an Iranian‑flagged boxship earlier this week.
IRAN’S Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy claims it has seized two vessels, which are operated by the world’s largest container shipping line Mediterranean Shipping Co, for transiting the Strait of Hormuz without its permission.
IRGC announced that the MSC-owned, 11,312 teu, MSC Francesca (IMO: 9401116) and a post-panamax ship under time charter to the company were seized and directed to the Iranian coast while transiting the Strait of Hormuz in the early hours of Wednesday.
The 2008-built MSC Francesca normally operates in service between the US west coast, Asia and the Middle East Gulf.
IRGC Navy claimed that both vessels “were operating without the necessary permits”.
Meanwhile, the MSC-chartered, 6,690 teu, Epaminondas (IMO: 9153862), which is owned by George Youroukos-controlled tonnage provider Technomar Shipping, was sailing through the strait eastbound at 0355 hrs about 15 nautical miles northeast of Oman when it was fired upon by an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps gunboat.
According to the maritime security company Vanguard, the fire resulted in heavy damage to the vessel’s navigation bridge. All crew on board the 1998-built ship are reported as safe.
The master of the vessel reported that no previous contact or warning had been made and the ship had been informed of permission to transit.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations also said that an IRGC gunboat approached the containership, then with no VHF contact fired upon the vessel. UKMTO advised vessels in the region to remain alert.
While Iranian forces have claimed that Epaminondas has too been seized, the Greek Ministry of Shipping has told multiple media outlets, including CNN, that this is not the case, however, it stated that it was attacked and sustained “extensive damage”. Lloyd’s List has sought comment from Technomar for verification.
A security source has though confirmed to Lloyd’s List that at least one of the vessels was eventually boarded.
According to the Epaminondas’ Automatic Identification System, the containership has been drifting just off the Iranian coast since 0622 hrs this morning.
The same is true of MSC Francesca, which is also drifting close to Epaminondas. Neither vessel has moved any significant distance in several hours.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-owned Tasnim News Agency defended the action claiming that the “containership ignored repeated warnings” in a social media post, adding that “Iran Enforces Maritime Law on Container Ship Defying Warnings”.
Epaminondas normally operates on an MSC service from the US east coast to the MEG via the Panama Canal.
MSC has also been approached for comment regarding the two incidents.
In a third incident reported by Vanguard, another containership — the 2,478 teu Euphoria (IMO: 9235828) — was fired upon at 0638 hrs while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz eastbound approximately eight nautical miles west of Iran. The incident did not cause any damage to the vessel or injuries to the crew.
The 2002-built ship is understood to be operated by Dubai-based container line Silmar Shipping and normally operates between the MEG, India and the Mediterranean.
Vanguard reported that the vessel’s master stated that the ship had stopped in the water. According to Lloyd’s List Intelligence vessel tracking, Euphoria resumed sailing towards Gulf of Oman after the incident.
