Azerbaijan has formally lodged a protest with Eritrea over the detention of three Azerbaijani-flagged vessels and their crews, who have been held since November 2024. The protest was confirmed by Ayxan Hajizada, spokesman for the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, on Wednesday.
According to Hajizada, the three vessels – CMS Pahlian, CMS İgid, and CMS-3 – were detained on November 7, 2024, after entering Eritrean waters due to worsening weather conditions while en route to Abu Dhabi via the Suez Canal.
The vessels, operated by the Azerbaijani branch of Caspian Marine Services B.V., had contacted Eritrean authorities but failed to provide all the necessary details.
The detained vessels had a total of 18 crew members, all Azerbaijani citizens.
Upon learning of the detention, Azerbaijan sent a diplomatic note to Eritrea through its embassies in Ethiopia and Russia, emphasizing the need for the release of the vessels and crews.
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry is working to resolve the issue and provide necessary consular legal assistance. “Work is ongoing to resolve the issue, release the vessels and crews, and provide the necessary consular legal assistance,” Hajizada said.
