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

Practically 4 years after he endured the struggling and disgrace of a lifetime, after being detained by Equatorial Guinea alongside with his colleagues, Kochi-based sailor Sanu Jose feels relieved now greater than ever. Mr. Jose, a local of Elamkulam in Ernakulam, says the current judgment of the International Tribunal for the Legislation of the Sea (ITLOS) towards Equatorial Guinea over the detention of the cargo ship MT Heroic Idun in mid-August 2022 has infused recent confidence within the crusing group.

Mr. Jose was the chief officer of Heroic Idun when the vessel was detained by Equatorial Guinea on cost of violating their territorial waters and try to steal crude oil. The vessel had a 26-member crew together with 16 Indians, eight Sri Lankans, and one particular person every from Philippines and Poland. An SOS video despatched by Mr. Jose from onboard the detained ship had grabbed wider consideration and prompted authorities interventions.

They have been later handed over to the Nigerian navy and have been launched in Might 2023. The detainees have been let off reportedly after Idun Maritime Restricted, the corporate that owned the vessel, paid penalty operating into hundreds of thousands and apologised to the Nigerian authorities.

Nonetheless, the federal government of Marshall Islands later moved the ITLOS, headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, questioning the detention of its ship and secured a beneficial verdict on Wednesday (Might 27, 2026). As per the verdict, Equatorial Guinea had violated the United Nations Conference on the Legislation of the Sea (UNCLOS) by intercepting and detaining the Marshall Islands-registered Heroic Idun and its crew.

The Particular Chamber reportedly awarded Marshall Islands greater than $14 million in compensation for the illegal acts of Equatorial Guinea, together with in extra of $4 million for mistreatment of the crew. That is the most important quantity ever awarded by ITLOS.

Elated over the international judicial order, Mr. Jose stated it had erased a black mark in his profession. “The delivery firm went for out of courtroom settlement to save lots of the ship and the crew on the earliest. Nonetheless, even after being launched I discovered it tough to search out peace of thoughts because it stored recurring inside me that we have been met with injustice. We have been branded as oil thieves and accused of trying to undermine Equatorial Guinea’s economic system. All these whereas we knew we did nothing unlawful. The newest verdict has come as an enormous aid, and it offers confidence to different captains too,” he stated.

After being launched, Mr. Jose went again to his former firm which elevated him as captain. He now works with an oil and fuel main. Two of his then colleagues from Kerala — V. Vijith from Kollam and Milton De Coth from Kochi — who have been additionally detained with him proceed to be in crusing, he stated.

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

Welcoming the judgment, Marshall Islands, in the meantime, stated it was vital for that nation to carry the case ahead “to guard the elemental guidelines and ideas of legislation for flag States, the humane and truthful remedy of seafarers, the security of vessels and the marine setting, and all engaged in international maritime commerce. This judgment reaffirms the paramount significance of freedom of navigation and the precept of unique flag State jurisdiction on the excessive seas,” Meredith Kirby, Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs, Marshall Islands, stated in an announcement.