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On May 3 the Iran has released the 25 crew members of the 'MSC Aries', while the vessel remains under judicial detention. The Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian stated that Iran still maintained control of the vessel. The release of the crew was deemed a humanitarian gesture, allowing them to return to their respective countries along with the ship’s captain. Iran’s foreign ministry previously stated that the 'MSC Aries' was seized for violating maritime laws and alleged ties to Israel. The vessel was leased by MSC from Gortal Shipping, a subsidiary of Zodiac Maritime, partially owned by the Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer.

The BRP 'Bagacay', on a resupply mission to the Scarborough Shoal, was confronted by 10 Chinese ships, four China Coast Guard vessels and six Chinese Maritime Militia vessels, which encircled the vessel on April 30, 2024. They swerved in front of the Philippine crew, who exchanged warnings over the radio. On the deck, the crew rushed towards buoys every time the Chinese edged closer, trying to protect themselves in case there was a collision. Then the Chinese fired with their water cannons. The 'Bagacay' turned back after a patrol ship of the country's Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the BRP 'Datu Bankaw', which was travelling alongside, had its radar damaged by the water cannons. The'Bagacay' suffered damage to the railing and canopy. No injuries were reported. Report with photos: https://news.sky.com/story/how-a-philippine-coastguard-ship-ended-up-being-surrounded-by-12-chinese-vessels-13126205 https://www.businessinsider.com/china-philippines-ship-confrontation-with-water-cannons-video-2024-4

When the 'MSC Orion' was attacked by drones on April 26 in the Arabian Sea , she was aboout 375 miles off the Yemeni coast, sailing between East Africa and the port of Salalah, having apparently rounded the Cape to avoid having to travel through the Red Sea. The 'MSC Orion' had departed from the port of Sines on April 6 and was last reported by AIS passing the Comoros on April 24. After the attack, wreckage from the drone was apparently discovered on the vessel. No serious damage was reported. There were no injuries to the crew. It was, however, the furthest from Houthi-controlled sections of Yemen that a missile or drone attack has been carried out, meaning that no ship sailing in the Gulf of Aden or the Arabian Sea off the Yemen coast can be considered safe from attack. The 'MSC OrionÄ, on charter to the Swiss/Italian company, ise connected with London-based Zodiac Maritime, which in turn forms part of Israeli millionaire shipowner Eyal Ofer’s Zodiac Group. Her nominal ownership is listed as Bafalo Shipping Inc., care of MSC in Switzerland, with the ship management also in the hands of MSC via its Cyprus office since the ship entered service in January 2020.

Yemen’s Houthis said they targeted the 'MSC Orion', en route from Oman, on April 29, 2024, in a drone attack in the Indian Ocean about 170 nauical miles from Socotra as part of their ongoing campaign against international shipping in solidarity with Gaza. The 'MSC Orion' suffered slight damage. She was sailing between the ports in Sines and Salalah. Its registered owner is Zodiac Maritime, which is partly owned by the Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer.

The BRP 'Bagacay', on a resupply mission to the Scarborough Shoal, was confronted by 10 Chinese ships, four China Coast Guard vessels and six Chinese Maritime Militia vessels, which encircled the vessel on April 30, 2024. They swerved in front of the Philippine crew, who exchanged warnings over the radio. On the deck, the crew rushed towards buoys every time the Chinese edged closer, trying to protect themselves in case there was a collision. Then the Chinese fired with their water cannons. The 'Bagacay' turned back after a patrol ship of the country's Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the BRP 'Datu Bankaw', which was travelling alongside, had its radar damaged by the water cannons. The'Bagacay' suffered damage to the railing and canopy. No injuries were reported. Report with photos: https://news.sky.com/story/how-a-philippine-coastguard-ship-ended-up-being-surrounded-by-12-chinese-vessels-13126205 https://www.businessinsider.com/china-philippines-ship-confrontation-with-water-cannons-video-2024-4