Hormuz Tensions: IRGC Claims Seizure of Two MSC Containerships in Retaliation Against US

A single Iranian gunboat was reported to have attacked one of the MSC containerships (Source: Maritime Executive)

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed control over two containerships associated with the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) as they were attempting to exit the Persian Gulf. These seizures followed confirmed reports that both vessels had come under armed attack earlier on Wednesday, April 22.

This escalation is viewed as a direct retaliatory strike by Tehran. It follows recent US operations in which a crippled Iranian containership was neutralized on Sunday, and a "shadow fleet" crude oil tanker linked to Iranian trade networks was boarded and inspected on Monday. Senior Iranian officials have vehemently condemned these actions, labeling them a breach of ceasefire agreements and demanding the immediate release of both the tanker and the containership.

Responding to the situation, President Donald Trump stated that US forces had searched the Iranian vessel and discovered "not so good things" originating from China and bound for Iran. Analytical reports suggest the cargo may have contained chemicals for rocket fuel or dual-use equipment. Some sources further allege that China has been providing Iran with satellite technology capabilities.

Details of the Attacks and Seizures of MSC Vessels

According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the first incident occurred approximately 15 nautical miles northeast of the Omani coast. An IRGC gunboat approached and opened fire on a containership without prior warning. While no casualties were reported, the vessel's bridge sustained significant damage. 
Automatic Identification System (AIS) tracking subsequently indicated the ship was being forced toward the Iranian coast.

●    Vessel Information: MSC Francesca (174,897 DWT); Capacity: 11,312 TEU; Built in 2008; Panama-flagged.

Approximately three hours later, a second incident involved the containership Epaminondas (Greek-owned and currently under time-charter to MSC). The vessel was fired upon while roughly 8 nautical miles off the Iranian coast. Final data from the UKMTO confirmed the vessel was forced to a halt following the attack.

●    Vessel Information: Epaminondas (94,769 DWT); Capacity: 6,690 TEU; Built in 1998; Liberia-flagged.

Via the Tasnim News Agency, the IRGC officially accused both vessels of "disrupting the order and security of the Strait of Hormuz."

The IRGC asserted that the ships lacked the necessary transit permits. Furthermore, the force declared the Strait of Hormuz closed once again due to "US violations," setting a condition that Washington must end its blockade of Iran-bound vessels for the waterway to reopen. On the US side, Trump affirmed that the blockade would be strictly maintained until a peace treaty is signed.

The Shadow Fleet’s Blockade Evasion

Relations between Iran and MSC have long been fraught, with Tehran repeatedly alleging that MSC maintains financial ties to Israel. Since the outbreak of hostilities, Iran has targeted several MSC vessels in the Persian Gulf, most notably the seizure of the MSC Aries (158,000 DWT) in April 2024. To date, Iran has released the crew but continues to hold the vessel and its cargo.

These latest developments emerge as the Financial Times cited data showing that at least 34 Iran-linked vessels have successfully bypassed the US blockade. Since the blockade was imposed on April 13, at least 19 tankers have departed the region, six of which were fully laden with a combined 10.7 million barrels of crude oil. An additional 15 tankers are believed to have successfully evaded detection to enter the Persian Gulf and Iranian ports. Conversely, data from TankerTrackers.com confirmed that US forces successfully intercepted five Iran-affiliated crude tankers.

"Going Dark" and Successful Escapes

Currently, many vessels attempting to leave the Persian Gulf are employing "going dark" tactics by disabling their AIS signals. While some ships appear to be complying with Iranian clearance requirements, reports indicate that MSC dispatched at least six containerships to attempt a transit; four of these have successfully reached the Gulf of Oman.

However, risks remain high. Earlier today, the UKMTO reported that a third containership, the Euphoria (33,807 DWT; 2,478 TEU; Panama-flagged; UAE-managed), was also fired upon. Data shows the vessel was forced to stop multiple times during transit, but fortunately, it was not seized and has since arrived safely at a port in the UAE.

As of this report, MSC and relevant authorities have yet to issue an official confirmation regarding Iran's claims of seizing the two containerships.

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Source: Phaata.com (According to Maritime Executive)

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