INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it is working closely with the relevant parties for the early release of 08 Sri Lankan nationals who
are parts of the 26-member crew of the oil tanker MT Heroic Idun, which was detained by Equatorial Guinea in early August.According to the
also include 16 sailors from India, one from Poland and another from the Philippines.The sailors were taken into custody in international
waters on August 12 allegedly for not displaying the flag of Equatorial Guinea and have been in detention for more than 80 days ever since
notice of readiness in line with voyage orders received from charterers, the Nigerian navy approached the vessel under cover of darkness in
a way that caused serious concerns and it was believed to be an attempted piracy attack
Nigerian navy, the vessel was interdicted in international waters by a naval vessel from Equatorial Guinea.As per documents filed in the
International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, the Equatorial Guinea navy has followed a maritime code of conduct and detained the vessel on
an alert sent by the Nigerian naval vessel.Meanwhile, the Nigerian Navy says it is conducting investigations into the alleged activities of
authorities of Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria to move the vessel back to Nigeria for further investigations.Meanwhile, Capt Rajesh Trehan, a
and the ship would be released once the fine was paid to Equatorial Guinea on 28 September
treated as criminals, without any formal charges or legal process for close to 03 months
advisors, Flag State, Embassies, ITF, and other industry players has worked continuously to bring this to a conclusion
We believe that with this development to move the vessel under neighboring state jurisdiction, the chance of any swift resolution is further
videos and made phone calls to their families and the authorities of their respective countries, seeking help to ensure their release.-with
This article first appeared/also appeared in https://adaderana.lk
