India Calls for Free Hormuz Passage, Updates on Captain Ajay Pant
India has repeated its call for safe and free passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway between Iran and Oman, and given an update on Captain Ajay Pant, the Indian ship master held in custody in England. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal spoke at the ministry’s regular media briefing in New Delhi, reported on 13 November.
Jaiswal said India continues to call for “safe, free and unimpeded navigation” through the strait. He said India is in touch with all parties concerned to prevent attacks on merchant ships and seafarers, including Indian-flagged vessels and Indian crew, and has urged restraint and respect for international maritime law. Indian seafarers have been hurt and killed in the region this year, including in the attack on the vessel Al Jusufi off Oman in early November.
From the CrewMirror Blog
On Captain Pant, master of the tanker MT Smyrtos, the MEA said the Indian High Commission in London has made several consular visits, helped arrange a visit by his wife on 9 November, and stays in contact with his lawyers, his family and the UK authorities. He is reportedly held at HMP Winchester after UK forces intercepted the tanker in the English Channel on 14 June over alleged breaches of Russian oil sanctions. India says it is working to protect his safety, health and legal rights ahead of his trial, which, as CrewMirror reported earlier, is expected to begin on 15 December.
The case is being watched closely across the industry as a possible test of how far ship masters can be held personally responsible when a vessel is accused of breaking sanctions, an issue explained in our guide on shipping sanctions and seafarers.
CrewMirror Takeaway
Seafarers, and masters in particular, should check a ship’s ownership, flag, insurance and trading pattern before signing on, because crews on sanctioned or shadow fleet tankers can face arrest and criminal charges abroad.
