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Several tankers and entities sanctioned

On Dec 3, 2024, the United States announced sanctions on 35 entities and vessels that have been involved in the transport of Iranian petroleum and derivatives to foreign markets. The reasons for this have been cited to be the Iranian attacks on Israel on Oct 1 as well as Iranian announcements of nuclear escalations. The goal of the sanctions has been stated to be hamstringing the Iranian nuclear program, the advancement of their drones and missiles, and their sponsoring of terrorist proxies by cutting off the funding from the sale of oil. A total of 35 entities and vessels have been targeted in this most recent move. 18 tankers have been sanctioned, being alleged to have shipped tens of millions of barrels of oil for Iran. In addition to these vessels, a number of entities that operate and manage these vessels, as well as those that facilitate the sale of Iranian oil, have also been sanctioned. The 'Rioo Napo' and 'Lara II' have been sanctioned as they are owned and managed by India-based Vision Ship Management LLP, which has been sanctioned itself. The RIO NAPO has also carried Iranian Naptha to the UAE in the past. The 'Tonil' has been known to skirt previous sanctions and transport millions of barrels of Iranian oil. The tanker is owned and managed by the sanctioned Ukrainian Lightship Management Ltd. Another sanctioned company, the Indian Tightship Shipping Management (OPC) Private Ltd,, is also known to be involved in the ship’s management.

Tankers deflagged after violating sanctions

The 'Giessel', 'Ekaterina', 'Lerax' and 'Amfitriti' have been stripped of their flags following an investigation into allegations they secretly transported Iranian oil in defiance of crippling U.S. sanctions. The ships all made covert visits to Iranian waters in 2020 where they collectively picked up millions of barrels of oil. The trips were part of a complex operation performed by Iranian and foreign vessels, in which ships manipulated their tracking data to hide their involvement in flouting U.S. sanctions. The tankers were sailing under the flag of the Caribbean island state of St. Kitts & Nevis. The St. Kitts & Nevis Ship Registry decided it would no longer allow the tankers to fly under its flag. “The St. Kitts & Nevis International Ship Registry takes any violations of imposed sanctions very seriously and will act swiftly and effectively to deal with infringements involving any vessels flying its flag. Such was the case with the tanker Giessel which was de-flagged on August 4th following press reports that it had visited an Iranian port,” the registry said and confirmed the three other ships had also been stripped of their flags. Public records from the International Maritime Organization showed that the four ships were no longer under the St. Kitts & Nevis flag. Their nationality has now been listed as “unknown.” While they may be able to eventually register again with a new state, the loss of their flags was likely to hinder their movements in the short term. The maritime organization’s records reveal a complex web of companies responsible for the ownership of each of the ships. But three of the vessels wre ultimately under the care of the Indian company Floretta Ship Management. The fourth ship was linked to another Indian company, the Ravel Ship Management.

Tanker towed to Zhoushan

The "Front Hakata" was under tow since Aug 20 bound to Zhoushan-Ningbo, ETA Aug 30, by the offshore tug "Akatsuki" (IMO: 9728966), sailing in WSW direction at around 4-6 knots speed with an ETA as of Sep 4. The ship arrived at Zhoushan on Sep 10 at 02.50 a.m. and sailed again on Oct 16 at 08.50 a.m., bound to Singapore, ETA Oct 27.