News / Taiwan carriers call for government help to free trapped box ships

The Ever Lotus. Photo: Buggi Porschien

Taiwan’s three largest liner operators, Evergreen, Yang Ming and Wan Hai Lines, have called on the island’s government to negotiate with Iran to liberate their ships that have been stuck in the Strait of Hormuz since the US/Israel-Iran war began on 28 February.

The three have seven containerships stranded in the strait and yesterday, during the Taipei Shipowners’ Association’s annual meeting, the chairmen of Evergreen and Yang Ming, Chang Yen-yi and Chuck Tsai Feng-ming, said they wre seeking Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ help to negotiate with the Iranian government.

Evergreen and Wan Hai each have three vessels stranded, while Yang Ming has one, among an estimated 40 containerships immobile in the area.

Containers from the stranded ships have been offloaded, but due to the lack of insurance cover for Hormuz transits, and the US and Iran implementing blockades, none of the companies dares allow ships to move out of the area.

Dr Tsai said: “Insurers informed us on Tuesday that vessel coverage was contingent on no private payments [to Iran] and that the government needed to negotiate with Iranian officials to obtain permission for passage….to leave the Strait of Hormuz.”

Tehran reportedly plans a toll booth system around the strait, with each transit costing $2m.

The chairmen said no transit fees would be paid to Iran, as this contravened the terms of insurance cover on the ships. Iran is sanctioned by the EU and UK and the marine insurance market is dominated by the EU and UK.

Mr Chang said: “The shipping association will raise the issue with the government. Geopolitics mean that the global shipping environment remains full of challenges and opportunities.”

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