Vital Waterway Under Scrutiny
The Singapore Strait is a crucial artery for global maritime trade, with more than 80,000 vessels passing through it each year, carrying about one-third of the world’s traded goods. However, shipspotters like Remy Osman have noticed a rising number of “shadow fleet” vessels operating in the area.
“When I started the hobby, there were almost none that I saw,” Osman said. “But then, particularly in the past year or two, I see them almost every single day.” These vessels are often sanctioned for taking oil from countries like Iran and exporting it, and they typically change their flags frequently, falsify their registration details, and switch off their tracking systems to keep their activities under wraps.
Shadow Fleet Operations
Osman explained that these tankers pass through Singapore almost daily, heading to international waters in the South China Sea, east of Malaysia. There, they conduct risky ship-to-ship transfers of oil and other goods – often at night and with minimal oversight. To avoid detection, many spoof their locations to appear off Singapore while operating far away.
“They’re now being registered in landlocked countries or tiny countries that have no capacity whatsoever to regulate them,” said Emeritus Professor Robert Beckman, head of the ocean law and policy programme at the National University of Singapore’s Centre for International Law. “They’re simply doing it to make money.”
Regulatory Challenges
The lack of oversight and regulation poses significant challenges for authorities trying to monitor and enforce sanctions. The shadow fleet vessels often hide behind flags of convenience, turning to registries with looser oversight, making enforcement harder and insurance arrangements even murkier.
As the situation continues to unfold, concerns about safety and environmental risks are growing. With more than 600 vessels reportedly operating in the shadow fleet, it is crucial that authorities take steps to address these issues and ensure that global maritime trade remains safe and secure.
Original Article: More ‘shadow fleet’ vessels carrying sanctioned cargo spotted in waters off Singapore, raising safety concerns — Channelnewsasia