Kochi sailor who endured detention in Equatorial Guinea feels relief with international tribunal’s verdict

San Jose | Photo credit: The Hindu

Almost four years after he endured the ordeal and shame of his life, after he and his colleagues were detained by Equatorial Guinea, the Kochi-based San Jose sailor feels better now than ever. Mr Jose, a native of Elamkulam, Ernakulam, says the recent judgment of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) against Equatorial Guinea regarding the detention of cargo ship MT Heroic Idun in mid-August 2022 has instilled new confidence in the sailing community.

Mr. Jose was chief officer of the Heroic Idun when the vessel was seized by Equatorial Guinea on charges of violating their territorial waters and attempting to steal oil. The vessel had a crew of 26 including 16 Indians, eight Sri Lankans and one person each from the Philippines and Poland. An SOS video sent by Mr Jose from aboard the detained ship attracted wider attention and prompted government action.

They were later handed over to the Nigerian Navy and released in May 2023. The detainees were reportedly released after Idun Maritime Limited, which owned the vessel, paid a million fine and apologized to the Nigerian government.

However, the Marshall Islands government later moved ITLOS, based in Hamburg, Germany, to challenge the detention of his ship and secured a favorable verdict on Wednesday (May 27, 2026). According to the verdict, Equatorial Guinea violated the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) by seizing and detaining the Heroic Idun and its crew registered in the Marshall Islands.

The Special Chamber reportedly awarded more than $14 million to the Marshall Islands in compensation for Equatorial Guinea’s illegal actions, including more than $4 million for crew mistreatment. This is the largest amount ever awarded by ITLOS.

Elated by the international injunction, Mr. Jose said it erased a black mark in his career. “The shipping company went to an out-of-court settlement as soon as possible to save the ship and the crew. But even after the release, I found it difficult to find peace because it kept repeating in my mind that we had met with injustice. We were branded as oil thieves and accused of trying to undermine the economy of Equatorial Guinea. All this, even though we knew that we had done nothing illegal and the captain, the last relief came. too,” he said.

After his release, Mr. Jose returned to his former company, which promoted him to captain. He is now working with an oil and gas major. Two of his colleagues from Kerala at the time – V. Vijith from Kollam and Milton De Coth from Kochi – who were also detained with him, are still on the boat, he said.

Mr. Jose attended the trial in Hamburg in October 2025.

The Marshall Islands, meanwhile, welcomed the ruling, saying it was important for the country to make a case “to protect the fundamental rules and principles of law for flag states, the humane and fair treatment of seafarers, the safety of vessels and the marine environment, and all those involved in international maritime commerce. This judgment reaffirms the paramount importance of freedom of navigation and the principle of exclusive jurisdiction of the flag state Kirer Merith, Deputy Exclusive State Jurisdiction flag Kir Merith.Marshall Islands, he said in a statement.

Published – 31 May 2026 01:43 IST