Tanker held by Iran released, crew reported safe

Columbia Shipmanagement said in a 19 November update that 2010-built Talara is now free to resume normal operations, with its 21-member crew safe and in good spirits.

The company, which has informed the seafarers’ families, added that “no allegations were made against the vessel, its crew, or the vessel’s managers and owners.”

MarineTraffic data showed Talara was “underway using engines” at a speed of 12.3 knots in the Gulf of Oman on the morning of 19 November.

TankerTrackers reported the vessel had been engaged in a ship-to-ship (STS) transfer of its high-sulphur gasoil cargo. Columbia Shipmanagement did not provide any information regarding the cargo.

Iran’s seizure of the vessel over ’unauthorised cargo’

As Riviera reported on 14 November, 2010-built Talara had its course intercepted as it sailed from the United Arab Emirates toward Singapore.

State-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported on 15 November that the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy detained the vessel off the southern coast of Makran under a judicial order, citing unspecified violations.

According to an IRGC statement published by IRNA, forces began monitoring Talara in the early hours of 14 November after receiving a court order mandating the vessel’s seizure. 

The IRGC said the tanker was subsequently “guided to anchorage for an investigation into its violations.” Tracking data from TankerTrackers located the vessel in the Khuran/Clarence Strait in Iran.

The IRGC added that a “full review” of the cargo and its accompanying documentation determined that the ship was carrying “unauthorised cargo,” prompting the continued detention.

Loss of contact and subsequent updates

Columbia Shipmanagement, first reported on 14 November that contact with Talara was lost at around 08:22 local time, approximately 20 nautical miles off the coast of Khor Fakkan, UAE.

In an update on 17 November, the company confirmed it had received communication from the tanker’s master one day earlier. Columbia Shipmanagement emphasised that all crew members are reported safe and accounted for, and that Talara is now safely anchored off the coast of Bandar Abbas, Iran.

“Columbia Shipmanagement is working with regional partners to urgently resolve the situation and secure the release of our crew. The safety and welfare of our people onboard remains our highest priority,” the company said.

Maritime security firm Ambrey also reported that the tanker had been approached by three small boats while transiting south through the Strait of Hormuz.

The incident comes amid heightened tensions, after Tehran warned it could retaliate following a 12-day war with Israel in June during which the US struck Iranian nuclear sites, AP reported last week.