Tamil Nadu native Paul Justin, a 27-year-old Indian merchant seafarer, has detailed his nine-month imprisonment in Iran's Bandar Abbas jail. Justin, who served as an oiler on the Palau-flagged tanker MV Harbour Phoenix, was detained alongside his crew following a mechanical failure while the vessel was traveling from Iraq to Oman in July 2025.
- Paul Justin spent nine months and seven days in custody.
- The ship was intercepted by Iranian naval personnel on July 14, 2025.
- The crew of 16 faced diesel smuggling allegations which they denied.
- All 10 Indian seafarers were officially released on May 26, 2026.
According to Justin,
Iranian naval personnel intercepted the ship on July 14, 2025, in international waters, later taking it to Jask port. The crew was held in handcuffs in the ship's cargo area for approximately 10 days while being questioned regarding diesel smuggling allegations, which both the crew and the vessel operator denied. Following their transfer to Bandar Abbas jail, Justin remained in custody for nine months and seven days. The crew of 16, consisting of 10 Indians, three Pakistanis, two Indonesians, and one Tanzanian, were eventually sentenced by a court to five years in prison each, along with a financial penalty of 7.5 million US dollars per person.
Justin reported harsh living conditions during his detention, noting that
he suffered from chicken pox and had limited, costly access to communication with his family. The situation grew increasingly tense in early 2026 as regional military conflicts intensified, with Justin describing hearing nearby explosions and missile activity. On May 26, 2026, India's Directorate General of Shipping officially confirmed that all 10 Indian seafarers were released following sustained diplomatic engagement involving the Ministry of External Affairs, the Embassy of India in Tehran, shipping authorities, the RPSL company, and vessel managers. Justin returned to South India in June 2026. This incident highlights ongoing risks for merchant mariners in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, an area where the Directorate General of Shipping has previously issued warnings regarding vessel seizure, detention, and abandonment. The DG Shipping maintains a grievance redressal mechanism for Indian seafarers, requiring them to first report issues to their RPSL agency, employer, or the shipowner's grievance committee.
