Iran tanker seizure: Swedish owner makes first contact with mainly Indian crew

The crew of a British-flagged oil tanker, including 18 from India, that was seized in the Gulf are "safe", the vessel's Swedish owner said on Wednesday after speaking to them for the first time.

The Stena Impero and its crew were taken by Iran's Revolutionary Guard five days ago in the Strait of Hormuz.

The owner, Stena Bulk, made contact on Tuesday with the ship's master who said they were safe and there was good co-operation with the Iranians on board.

The vessel has a crew of 23 -- 18 Indians, three Russians, a Latvian and a Filipino.

"Stena Bulk can confirm that we have had direct communication with the crew of the Stena Impero since late yesterday," the company said in a statement.

"The Master advised that everyone was safe with good cooperation with the Iranian personnel onboard," it said.

Family members are being updated on the latest developments and the company will continue to provide updates as the situation develops, the statement said.

Erik Hanell, President and CEO, Stena Bulk said: "We do of course appreciate this step of development and that this is a first sign that we will soon see more positive progress from the Iranian authorities."
"He called and spoke with his mother on the morning of July 18, saying he is on his way to Saudi Arabia from Dubai. To our utter shock, we got a call from his company the next day saying the ship is under Iran's custody."