How Iran seized Chemical tanker HANKUK CHEMI over ‘environment protection violations’

Chemical tanker HANKUK CHEMI, reportedly loaded with ethanol, on Jan 4, 2020 was seized by Iranian military in Strait of Hormuz, and taken to Bandar Abbas waters, Iran, under the pretext of “environment protection” violations, according to FleetMon.

It stated: “As it later transpired, there’s an issue of billions of dollars of Iranian assets frozen in Seoul, to be negotiated between Iran and Korea in coming days, so tanker seizure is, in all probability, an attempt to gain more leverage in forthcoming talks.

“Nothing to be surprised at or getting angry, if you ask me. Countries violate laws, both internal and international, get off with it, and can’t care less about the consequences, because there are none.”

It added: “Looking at shipping, one may recall months-long ships and crews detention in China, or ships detentions in Australia under absurd pretexts, or Russia holding hostage tanker until owner paid exorbitant money for pier damages, etc., etc.”