Doha, April 25 -- A prominent global shipping body has criticised the US and Iran over their recent seizures of commercial vessels in the Gulf region, particularly at the Strait of Hormuz, over each other's virtual control on the global energy transit, saying such actions violate international law and calling for the immediate release of detained seafarers.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, John Stawpert, marine director of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), said seafarers must be allowed to carry out their duties "freely and without persecution".

Stawpert, whose organisation represents around 80 per cent of the global merchant fleet, said the detention of vessels for political purposes undermines the principle of freedom of na...