Iranian-Flagged Tanker in Greece Tugged to Piraeus Port

An Iranian-flagged tanker seized by Greece in April, part of whose cargo was confiscated by the United States, was being “towed to the port of Piraeus” on Saturday, Greek coast guard officials said, after Greek authorities approved its release.

For over two months the Iranian-flagged Lana has been ‘anchored’ off the Greek island of Evia in a diplomatic impasse which strained Athens’ relations with Tehran amid growing tensions between Iran and the United States.

“It left Karystos at 06:30 am (0330 GMT) and is expected to reach Piraeus around 10:00 pm,” one official said.

Greek authorities in April “impounded” the Lana and its oil cargo with 19 Russian crew members on board near the coast of Evia, due to sanctions following legal action by the United States.

That decision was overturned on June 10 due to complications regarding their ownership, but until last week the ship was being “detained by another company over debts owed for towing services.”

The Lana, which has engine problems, was officially released after the amount owed was paid off, legal sources said

Part of the ship’s Iranian oil cargo had already been transferred to another ship, Ice Energy, which was hired by the United States and is moored off Piraeus port.

Reuters /Shakirat Sadiq