The Middle East sparks complex geopolitical conflicts, and these tensions are increasingly spilling over into critical shipping routes. The Bab el-Mandeb and Strait of Hormuz, vital chokepoints for global trade between Europe and Asia, are particularly vulnerable to disruptions.
The “MSC Aries” container ship set sail for Nhava Sheva, India, on April 12th, 2024, departing Khalifa, United Arab Emirates (UAE), at 4:30 UTC. The following day, around 0630 UTC, while the ship was sailing at 15,4 knots and displaying a freeboard of 17.6m, was boarded via helicopter by Iranian forces and seized along with its 25 crewmembers, in a typical manner to Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
