Greek-managed vessel “Epaminondas” under Iranian control in Strait of Hormuz incident
The Greek-managed container ship M/V Epaminondas, sailing under the Liberian flag and managed by Technomar Shipping Inc., is under the control of Iranian forces following a security incident off the coast of Oman, near the Strait of Hormuz.
According to reports, the vessel was attacked on April 22 before Iranian forces boarded it and ordered the captain to sail toward Iranian waters. Technomar confirmed that Iranian forces had boarded the vessel and said the crew was safe, with no injuries or pollution reported.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said the Epaminondas and the MSC Francesca were seized because, according to Iranian claims, they were operating without proper authorization and had tampered with navigation systems.
Greece’s Shipping Ministry had initially denied that the Epaminondas had been detained, describing the Iranian announcements as inaccurate. However, a later statement from the vessel’s management company confirmed that Iranian forces had taken control of the ship.
Greek seafarers’ unions strongly criticized the handling of the incident, arguing that crews are being exposed to extreme danger in war-risk areas. They called for commercial ships to be barred from sailing through areas with active military risk and demanded the safe repatriation of seafarers from conflict zones.
The unions also announced a meeting with the head of the Hellenic Coast Guard on Monday, April 27, and called for mass participation in the nationwide May Day strike on May 1.
