Seafarers in Distress: The ‘Heroic Idun’ Episode

By KM SEETHI|2023-06-09T09:57:03+05:30May 7th, 2023|Articles, The Wire|Comments Off

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The Wire, 7 May 2023

Amid international media reports of a US-bound Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker being seized by Iran with 24 Indian crew members onboard, there was a silver lining from Abuja. A Nigerian court freed 26 seafarers, including 16 Indians, who had been detained for more than eight months in the MT Heroic Idun case. The court verdict eventually came in favour of the crew which also included eight Sri Lankans, a Filipino and a Pole. The very large crude carrier (VLCC) Heroic Idun – owned by Idun Maritime Ltd, a subsidiary of Ray Car Carriers – was detained on disputed charges of ‘oil theft’ in Nigeria. The vessel’s owner, Ray Car Carriers, operator OSM Ship Management, Charterer BP, the Marshall Islands as the flag state, governments of India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and Poland, as well as the various maritime-related organisations, were negotiating for an early settlement and release of the crew. For the full text Read

About the Author: KM SEETHI

K.M. SEETHI is ICSSR Senior Fellow and Director, Inter University Centre for Social Science Research and Extension, MG University. He also serves as Member of the Appellete Authority (Ombudsman), MGNREGS, Govt of Kerala. Earlier, he served as Dean of Social Sciences and Senior Professor and Director of School of International Relations and Politics, Director of Research, and Coordinator KPS Menon Chair for Diplomatic Studies. Besides, he had officiated as Honorary Director, KN Raj Centre , Mahatma Gandhi University. Seethi currently serves as Editor, Journal of State and Society. He also served as the Editor of 'South Asian Journal of Diplomacy' and the 'Indian Journal of Politics and International Relations,' and 'Journal of Political Economy and Fiscal Federalism.' His books include, "Enduring Dilemma: Flashpoints in Kashmir and India-Pakistan Relations" (KW Publishers), "Endless Sorrows" (IUCSSRE/DPP), "Engaging Beyond Borders" (GSC), "The Arab World: Beyond and Beneath the Arab Spring" ( GSC), "Development Rebound: Challenges in Kerala's Development Scenario" (Raspberry), "State and Civil Society under Siege"(Sage), "Engaging with the World: Critical Reflections on India’s Foreign Policy"(Orient Longman/Orient Blackswan), "Economic Empowerment and Livelihood Security" (SIRP/ KPS Menon Chair), "Coastal Security: Needed A New Look" (SIRP/KPS Menon Chair) etc. He has also written more than 300 research articles/features/commentaries/reviews in journals such as Asian Journal of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies,' 'Economic and Political Weekly,' 'Millennium: Journal of International Affairs,' 'Indian Journal of Political Science,' 'Journal of Polity and Society,' 'South Asian Journal of Diplomacy', 'Indian Journal of Politics and International Relations,' 'South Asia Analysis Group,' 'Indian Journal of Secularism', 'Mainstream,' 'Radical Humanist,' 'Indian Express,' 'The Hindu,' 'The Economic Times,' 'The New Indian Express,' 'Deccan Chronicle,' 'The Week,' 'Open,' Sri Lanka Guardian,' 'Eurasia Review,' Indian Defense Review,' and online journals such as the 'Global South Colloquy,' 'The Diplomat', 'Countercurrents', 'Global Research,' 'Madras Courier,' 'Policy Circle' 'Keralamonitor' et al.