This was stated by the spokesperson of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Aykhan Hajizade, in response to an inquiry from APA.
Incident Details
“On November 7, 2024, the vessels CMS Pahlavan, CMS Igid, and CMS-3, operated by the Azerbaijani branch of Caspian Marine Services B.V. and flying the Azerbaijani state flag, were en route from the Suez Canal to Abu Dhabi (UAE). Due to deteriorating weather conditions, they were forced to enter the territorial waters of Eritrea.
Despite prior communication with Eritrean port authorities about the passage of the vessels, the information could not be delivered. After the vessels entered Eritrean territorial waters, 12 miles offshore, Eritrean authorities deemed the entry illegal and detained them. All 18 crew members on board are Azerbaijani citizens.
Upon receiving the initial report about the incident on November 7, 2024, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) promptly responded and took control of the matter,” Hajizade noted.
The spokesperson added that Azerbaijan has issued a diplomatic note to Eritrea via its embassies in Ethiopia and the Russian Federation. The note emphasizes the legal justification that the entry into Eritrean waters was in accordance with international maritime law.
Relevant meetings have been held with Eritrea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Eritrean embassies in Turkey and Moscow. Efforts are ongoing to resolve the issue, secure the release of the detained vessels and their crew, and provide necessary consular and legal assistance.
Further Information
At 10:29, reports emerged that three Azerbaijani-owned vessels, along with their crews, had been detained in Eritrean waters. The ships, which departed from Baku, changed their course due to adverse weather and were detained for allegedly entering Eritrean waters unlawfully.
An official communication has been sent to the Eritrean maritime transport authority, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Eritrea’s permanent representative to the IMO, and the Eritrean embassy in the United Kingdom.
Parvana Imanova, the spokesperson for Azerbaijan’s State Maritime and Port Agency, confirmed that the MFA has been informed about the detention.
Mehman Mehtiev, spokesperson for the Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company (ASCO), clarified that the detained vessels do not belong to ASCO. He added, “In such cases, sailors and their families receive numerous distressing reports. Misleading footage and inaccurate information cause confusion for them.”
Efforts continue to resolve the matter and ensure the safe return of the vessels and their crews.
