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

Nearly four years after he endured the suffering and shame of a lifetime, after being detained by Equatorial Guinea along with his colleagues, Kochi-based sailor Sanu Jose feels relieved now more than ever. Mr. Jose, a native of Elamkulam in Ernakulam, says the recent judgment of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) against Equatorial Guinea over the detention of the cargo ship MT Heroic Idun in mid-August 2022 has infused fresh confidence in the sailing community.

Mr. Jose was the chief officer of Heroic Idun when the vessel was detained by Equatorial Guinea on charge of violating their territorial waters and attempt to steal crude oil. The vessel had a 26-member crew including 16 Indians, eight Sri Lankans, and one person each from Philippines and Poland. An SOS video sent by Mr. Jose from onboard the detained ship had grabbed wider attention and prompted government interventions.

They were later handed over to the Nigerian navy and were released in May 2023. The detainees were let off reportedly after Idun Maritime Limited, the company that owned the vessel, paid penalty running into millions and apologised to the Nigerian government.

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

The Special Chamber reportedly awarded Marshall Islands more than $14 million in compensation for the unlawful acts of Equatorial Guinea, including in excess of $4 million for mistreatment of the crew. This is the largest amount ever awarded by ITLOS.

Elated over the international judicial order, Mr. Jose said it had erased a black mark in his career. “The shipping company went for out of court settlement to save the ship and the crew at the earliest. However, even after being released I found it difficult to find peace of mind as it kept recurring within me that we were met with injustice. We were branded as oil thieves and accused of attempting to undermine Equatorial Guinea’s economy. All these while we knew we did nothing illegal. The latest verdict has come as a huge relief, and it gives confidence to other captains too,” he said.

After being released, Mr. Jose went back to his former company which elevated him as captain. He now works with an oil and gas major. Two of his then colleagues from Kerala — V. Vijith from Kollam and Milton De Coth from Kochi — who were also detained with him continue to be in sailing, he said.

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

Welcoming the judgment, Marshall Islands, meanwhile, said it was important for that country to bring the case forward “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 engaged in international maritime trade. This judgment reaffirms the paramount importance of freedom of navigation and the principle of exclusive flag State jurisdiction on the high seas,” Meredith Kirby, Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs, Marshall Islands, said in a statement.