Greek crew member to be repatriated from seized oil tanker St Nikolas

The Greek cadet who worked onboard St Nikolas, the Greek-owned oil tanker seized by the Iranian navy last week, is being repatriated, the ship’s managing company, Empire Navigation said Thursday.

The 19-year-old trainee captain will return to Greece accompanied by the Greek ambassador to Iran.

“Regardless of this positive news, our Company remains committed to the safe release of all crew members. The remaining 18 seafarers, still onboard the vessel anchored at Bandar Abbas in Iran, are in good health and in contact with their families,” stated the company.

The St Nikolas, loaded with 145,000 metric tons of crude oil from Basra, Iraq, bound for Aliaga, Turkey, via the Suez, was captured on January 11 in Oman waters. 

The ship, previously named “Suez Rajan,” was apprehended by the US during a sanctions enforcement operation. Tehran had warned that such actions wouldn’t go unanswered.

The full Empire Navigation press release follows:

Empire Navigation Inc., managers of M/T St. Nikolas, reports with great pleasure the safe release of the youngest crew member onboard its seized vessel.

The Greek cadet, escorted by the Greek Ambassador to Iran, is board a flight to return home. Regardless of this positive news, our Company remains committed to the safe release of all crew members. The remaining 18 seafarers, still onboard the vessel anchored at Bandar Abbas in Iran, are in good health and in contact with their families.

The Company has also established contact with the Filipino Ambassador to Iran who will be visiting  the vessel upon required formalities are completed by the Local Authorities. Filipino Government officials continue their ongoing efforts as of first day to negotiate the safe return of the remaining crew members.

The safety and wellbeing of our crew and their families will always be top priorities for our Company. We remain in constant cooperation with the seafarers’ families, working with specialized professionals to provide mental health and psychological support during this emotional and difficult time. Family members will have access to these resources until all seafarers are safely released, at which time the seafarers themselves will have support as long as advised by medical professionals.

The St. Nikolas was sailing laden, with a cargo of about 145,000 mts of crude oil loaded in Basrah, Iraq and destined to Aliaga (Turkey), via the Suez Canal, when she was seized by Iran on 11 January. The charterer of the vessel is Tupras.