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Iranian Navy Ship Remains in Kochi Six Months After Docking
An Iranian Navy ship called IRIS Lavan came to India for naval exercises.
It docked in Kochi on March 4 after reporting technical problems.
At about the same time, war broke out in West Asia.
India allowed the ship to stay because it needed help.
The ship originally had 183 crew members.
Most non-essential crew members were sent home about a month later.
Some essential crew members and the ship are still in Kochi six months later.
Sources disagree about whether more than two dozen or more than 50 crew members remain.
The Cochin Port Authority is now responsible for the ship’s guardianship but is not sharing details.
Iranian Navy landing ship IRIS Lavan docked in Kochi on March 4 after reporting technical problems.
The ship had visited India for the International Fleet Review and MILAN 2026 naval exercises in Visakhapatnam.
India permitted the Lavan to enter Kochi on humanitarian grounds as war broke out in West Asia.
Most of the ship’s 183 crew members were repatriated a month later, while essential personnel remain in Kochi.
Reports differ on the number still there, citing both more than two dozen and more than 50 crew members.
- Who
- The Iranian Navy, the IRIS Lavan’s crew, Indian authorities, and the Cochin Port Authority.
- What
- Iranian Navy ship IRIS Lavan remains docked in Kochi with some crew members after reporting technical problems.
- Where
- Kochi, India; the ship had earlier participated in events in Visakhapatnam.
- When
- It docked on March 4 and remains there six months later; non-essential crew members were repatriated a month afterward.
- Why
- India allowed the ship to dock on humanitarian grounds after it reported difficulties while war had begun in West Asia.
Key facts
- Ship
- IRIS Lavan, an Iranian Navy landing ship
- Docking date
- March 4
- Original crew
- 183 crew members
- Reason for docking
- Reported technical problems and received permission on humanitarian grounds
- Crew repatriation
- India repatriated non-essential crew members about a month after docking
- Crew still in Kochi
- Reports variously cite more than two dozen and more than 50 crew members
- Current guardianship
- Transferred to the Cochin Port Authority, according to sources cited in the report
Quotes
PRO of the Cochin Port Authority
Public relations officer of the Cochin Port Authority
“As per directions from the Indian Navy, we are not in a position to disclose or share any information regarding IRIS Lavan at this stage. We are unable to provide any further details for the time being.”
indianexpress.com
S Jaishankar
India’s External Affairs Minister
“So for us, when this ship wanted to come in, and that too in difficulties, I think it was the humane thing to do.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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