Indian Coast Guard Seizes Three Tankers Involved in Oil Smuggling
The Indian Coast Guard seized three tankers that were allegedly involved in oil smuggling, marking the country’s first action against the so-called dark fleet. The vessels were taken in the waters off Mumbai on Friday by the coast guard, which said it had “busted an international oil-smuggling racket” and that the ships had been known to “frequently change identity.”
The three tankers, whose names have not been disclosed, were identified through their unique seven-digit IMO numbers. Ship-intelligence platform TankerTracker.com confirmed the vessels’ identities, matching them with past images of the Chiltern, Asphalt Star, and Stellar Ruby that can be found on MarineTraffic, a ship-tracking intelligence platform.
Vessels Sanctioned by Washington for Links to Iranian Oil Trade
The seized tankers were sanctioned by Washington last year for their links to the Iranian oil trade. The sanctions were part of a broader effort to cut off Iran’s revenue streams and pressure Tehran to negotiate a new nuclear deal. The Indian Coast Guard‘s action is seen as a sign that New Delhi is taking steps to comply with international sanctions and prevent its ports from being used as a conduit for sanctioned oil.
India‘s Efforts to Comply with International Sanctions
India has been under pressure from the US and Europe to stop taking Russian crude, as part of a deal to cut import tariffs on the South Asian nation. In response, New Delhi announced early last year that it would not allow sanctioned tankers to discharge at its ports. The Indian Coast Guard‘s seizure of the three tankers is seen as a tangible step towards implementing this policy.
International Efforts to Combat Oil Smuggling
The seizures are also part of a broader international effort to combat oil smuggling and prevent the flow of sanctioned oil around the world. Malaysian authorities recently released two aging tankers that had been detained for conducting ship-to-ship transfers of oil without permission. The so-called shadow, or dark, fleet is a group of around 1,500 tankers that carry Russian, Iranian, and Venezuelan oil around the world.
Consequences for Vessel Owners
The owners of the three seized tankers have not responded to emails seeking comment. Calls made to the registered owners and managers of the vessels were directed to voice mail or unanswered. The Indian Coast Guard has escorted the vessels to Mumbai for further investigation, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to crack down on oil smuggling.
Original Article: India Seizes Three Tankers in First Action Against Dark Fleet — Gcaptain