Azerbaijan has formally protested to Eritrea regarding the detention of three Azerbaijani-flagged vessels and their crews, which have been held since November 2024, according to Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ayxan Hajizada.
The vessels, CMS Pahlian, CMS İgid, and CMS-3, carrying 18 Azerbaijani crew members, were detained on November 7 after entering Eritrean waters due to adverse weather conditions while en route to Abu Dhabi via the Suez Canal. The vessels’ operators, Caspian Marine Services B.V.’s Azerbaijani branch, had made contact with Eritrean authorities but did not provide all required details.
In response to the incident, Azerbaijan issued a diplomatic note to Eritrea through its embassies in Ethiopia and Russia. Hajizada confirmed that efforts are underway to resolve the matter, secure the release of the vessels and crews, and offer necessary consular and legal support. The exact timing of the protest remains unclear.