Iranian Cargo Ship Rescued in Emergency Operation Off Gilan Coast Amid Severe Weather

Following a distress call from an Iranian vessel in the coastal waters of Gilan Province, a special rescue operation successfully towed the ship to the safe basin of Astara Port despite adverse sea conditions.

Ali Montaser Koohsari, Deputy Director of Maritime Affairs of the Gilan Ports and Maritime Directorate, announced that in the operation conducted on September 8, 2026, a commercial vessel under the Iranian flag anchored at Astara Port anchorage — which had developed a severe list due to rough seas and cargo shift on deck, placing it in a highly dangerous condition — was safely transferred to Astara Port berth following a distress call from its captain, after necessary expert assessments and risk evaluations, before the list could worsen and conditions deteriorate further.

Elaborating on the details of the maritime rescue operation, he added that the vessel, with a draft of 3.7 meters and carrying export cargo from Bandar Anzali bound for Astrakhan Port, Russia, was forced to stop at Astara Port anchorage after a marine weather warning was issued. Due to rough seas and instability of the vessel, the distressed ship — despite numerous risks — was transferred to the safe basin and berth of Astara Port in completely safe conditions by the special pilotage team of this directorate, utilizing a tugboat and rescue vessel belonging to the Ports and Maritime Organization as well as the private sector (Kaveh Port and Maritime Services Company).

He concluded by noting that increasing the readiness of rescue and service vessels and providing optimal services to distressed vessels in the shortest possible time during maritime incidents are among the main priorities of the Gilan Ports and Maritime Directorate.