Gulf Tensions: Iran ships stranded in Brazil to depart this weekend, say officials

Two Iranian ships stranded off the coast of Brazil for weeks will set sail this weekend, officials said. A spokesperson for Eleva Quimica, the Brazilian company which contracted the vessels, said refueling started in the early hours of Saturday and would finish later in the day. They would depart this weekend.

The bulk carriers have been stuck at Paranagua port in the southern state of Parana since early last month after Petrobras refused to provide fuel for fear of breaching US sanctions.

The port administrator said the dispute “ends this weekend.” The Bavand, which is loaded with corn, will receive 1,300 tons of fuel, Portos do Parana said in a statement. The Termeh will get 600 tons.

The Indian crew members detained in connection with an investigation into an Iranian oil supertanker seized by Royal Gibraltar Police are “safe and well’ and in contact with consular officials on the vessel, the Indian High Commission in London said on Thursday. “Three consular officials had meetings with the crew on the high seas on Wednesday. They are safe and well and remain in contact with their families, the Indian High Commission said in a statement in London on Thursday.

"Further meetings are planned this week with Gibraltar officials. All help will be extended to the Indian nationals, the statement noted.

The Gibraltar authorities have claimed that the vessel is loaded to capacity with crude oil enroute to Syria, in breach of the European Union (EU) sanctions and confirmed that the next hearing in the case is scheduled for August 15.

A Gibraltar government statement reads: “The detention of the vessel relates to the suspected destination of the cargo, the Banyas refinery in Syria, which is owned by a company, the Banyas Oil Refinery Company. This company is the subject of European Union sanctions under EU Regulation 36/2012, which is directly applicable in Gibraltar.”

“The investigations of the Royal Gibraltar Police continue and the vessel remains detained under an Order of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Gibraltar,” it said.