Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Davie Plans to Invest in American Shipbuilding

The Chantier Davie-converted commercial icebreaker CCGS Vincent Massey (file image courtesy Chantier Davie)

Monaco-owned, Quebec-based shipbuilder Davie has decided to make a "significant, long-term commitment to the American shipbuilding industry" with an investment in a new site. The decision was announced simultaneously by the shipbuilder and by the Biden administration, which included it alongside an array of recent shipbuilding initiatives.

According to the White House, Davie will make a "major investment in a U.S. shipyard" after final site and partner selection. Contenders were not named.

Davie has positioned itself as an icebreaker specialist by securing the Canadian Coast Guard's three-ship heavy icebreaker contract and by acquiring Finland's Helsinki Shipyard. Helsinki - previously a Russian/Cypriot-owned asset - has built more than half of the world's icebreaker fleet.

In the same announcement as Davie's pending investment, the White House highlighted the role of Louisiana-based Bollinger Shipyards in the U.S.-Finland-Canada "ICE Pact," or "Icebreaker Collaboration Effort." American-owned Bollinger holds the contract for the U.S. Coast Guard's Polar Security Cutter icebreaker project, the replacement for the 1976-built USCGC Polar Star.

The Polar Security Cutter program is about three to five years behind schedule, according to the Government Accountability Office and the Congressional Research Service. The first hull was due to deliver this year and will now likely be completed in 2028-9. This will require the Coast Guard to maintain the aging Polar Star for an equivalent period; the ship's challenging maintenance requirements include annual drydocking, and if she stays in service until the expected delivery of the PSC, she will be over 50 years old by the time of retirement.

Challenges in the Polar Security Cutter program include design maturity, workforce scarcity and the need to re-learn the technical process of icebreaker construction after a 50-year nationwide lapse. Bollinger says that it has seen improvements in hiring since the start of the year, and it is addressing the technical aspects by building up to eight "low risk" hull modules to examine procedures and techniques.

The Coast Guard did not request any new funding for the PSC program in the FY2025 budget, and it is expected to rebaseline the program schedule to reflect the delays. Given increasing activity and ease of access in the Arctic, and the challenge of maintaining Polar Star past her planned retirement date, the PSC is one of the Coast Guard's top acquisition priorities.

In advance of the NATO summit in Washington earlier this month, the White House National Security Council announced a new pact with Canada and Finland to build "best-in-class Arctic and polar icebreakers . . . in each of our respective countries" by leveraging each partner's shipbuilding expertise. The ultimate objective, according to the White House, is to build American-made icebreakers for sale to allies so that the cost of the series could be spread among multiple nations. As the sole American yard with an icebreaker contract, Bollinger will play a key role in this initiative.

"We have made, and will continue to make, significant, long-term investments in our facilities, infrastructure and workforce," said Ben Bordelon, Bollinger Shipyards President and CEO, in a statement announcing the ICE Pact. "Our goal is to create a world-class American-owned shipyard capable of producing the first fleet of American-made polar icebreakers in over half a century, and we’re honored that responsibility lies with Bollinger."

WISTA UK Celebrates 50 Years of Championing Diversity and Inclusion

[By: WISTA UK]

The Women's International Shipping & Trading Association UK (WISTA UK) marked its 50th anniversary with a celebratory event highlighting five decades of progress and ongoing efforts to promote diversity and inclusion within the maritime industry. The event, which included an insightful conference and a grand evening reception, brought together industry leaders, members, and supporters to honour achievements and set the stage for future advancements.

The conference started with a welcome by Monica Kohli, President of WISTA UK, followed by a welcome address by His Excellency Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

The first session, "Nurturing Diverse Voices in Maritime Media," focused on the role of media in helping women elevate their profiles. Discussions emphasised the importance of representation, including stories from all backgrounds, such as women, trans, and non-binary individuals. Panellists also explored women's challenges in the industry, particularly the fear of failure and stepping out of their comfort zones. They also highlighted the need to overcome these fears for personal and professional growth.

The second session, "ESG, to or not to be?" thoroughly examined the current state of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices. The debate underscored the business sense behind ESG initiatives and the necessity for companies to report their progress to identify areas for improvement and demonstrate their advancements. The panel concluded that it doesn't matter whether we call it ESG or not; doing things right is the only way forward.

A presentation on decarbonisation by IMO and BP followed, offering a state-of-the-industry overview.

The third session, "Navigating Alternative Fuel Options for Decarbonisation Risks and Hazards – What's the Fuel?" this discussion highlighted future fuels and the industry's decarbonisation amidst evolving regulations like the EU ETS and FuelEU. The panel emphasised the need for accurate data and proactive planning in shipping's digitalisation. It concluded with a call for the IMO to provide global regulations on ESG, fuel standards, and reporting requirements.

The conference concluded with a closing address from Guy Platten, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping. He congratulated WISTA UK on their significant work in promoting maritime diversity. He discussed the ICS's efforts to bring more women into seafaring roles, especially given the predicted shortage of 90,000 seafarers.

At the evening reception, Monica Kohli reflected on WISTA UK's journey and milestones: "From our numerous successful events and mentoring programmes to our new focus on establishing regional events across the UK, we continue to expand our reach. This year, we will join the Women in Transport mentoring programme, which is set to formally launch in September. Additionally, we are actively seeking recruits and funding for our cadet sponsorship initiatives."

A key highlight of the evening was the IMO Secretary General's pledge not to participate in all-male panels, emphasising the importance of gender diversity. "Enhancing the role of women in everything that we do is essential. With continued support of all allies and the media, we can achieve even greater progress together."

WISTA UK's Man and Women of the Year Awards

The evening also celebrated the recipients of the prestigious WISTA UK's Women and Man of the Year awards. Nusrat Ghani was honoured as 'Woman of the Year' for her significant contributions to promoting diversity and inclusion in the maritime sector. Guy Platten received the 'Man of the Year' award, recognising his efforts to support and advocate for gender equality within the industry. Additionally, Katy Ware, the Director of Maritime Safety & Standards and Permanent Representative of the UK to the IMO, received a Special Commendation for her impactful work.

Monica Kohli expressed her gratitude to all those who contributed to the success of the event: "Thank you to Gina Panayiotou LLB, LLM, CBA, MBA, Nicola Porter, Jucilla Walters MSc, BA Hons, Sue Terpilowski OBE, Emily Dove, and everyone who attended and worked behind the scenes to make this conference and celebratory evening unforgettable."

As WISTA UK celebrates this milestone, the organisation remains committed to fostering an inclusive environment and championing the contributions of women in maritime. The progress made over the past 50 years serves as a testament to the collective efforts of its members and supporters, and the organisation looks forward to continuing its mission in the years to come.

The products and services herein described in this press release are not endorsed by The Maritime Executive.

China Lets Philippine Convoy Reach Second Thomas Shoal Without Conflict

China Coast Guard — U.S. Coast Guard file image

Over the weekend, the Philippine military was able to carry out a mission to resupply the garrison at Second Thomas Shoal without any significant interference from Chinese forces - the first time in many months that China allowed Philippine vessels to pass unhindered. China has attempted to harass or block every waterborne resupply mission at the shoal since at least 2023, and this year its tactics escalated to include ramming and water-cannoning. It is also the first resupply mission since a violent incident on June 17, when Chinese forces assaulted and confiscated two Philippine Navy RHIBs, injuring eight Philippine servicemembers in the process.

On Saturday, on a much less fraught voyage, the contracted supply vessel Lapu-Lapu and the Philippine Coast Guard cutter BRP Cape Engano. According to the Philippine military's western command, nine Chinese vessels followed along with the resupply voyage - including a rare three-vessel task force from the gray-hull PLA Navy, which typically leaves these missions to the China Coast Guard. According to PCG spokesman Jay Tarriela, these vessels "did not undertake any action to disrupt" the supply mission, and kept an appropriate distance.

The behavior of the Chinese forces is a departure from recent encounters. The two sides recently reached an agreement to de-escalate tensions in the Spratly Islands, though Beijing and Manila have different interpretations of what concessions the agreement contains - in particular, the degree of control that China may now exert over navigation in Philippine waters.

According to Beijing, Chinese forces inspected the convoy's cargo on this mission "on the scene" so that the China Coast Guard could make sure that the Lapu-Lapu was not carrying construction supplies. Tarriela denied that any Chinese boarding or inspection had taken place, and produced video evidence from the voyage. He insisted that "the Philippines did not and will not seek permission from the PRC for such missions."

The outpost, a wrecked WWII landing ship called the BRP Sierra Madre, is about 80 years old and is rapidly deteriorating. China insists that the Philippines should not be allowed to bring in materials to make repairs, and demands that the entirety of the structure be removed - even though the outpost is within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone. Though China has dredged and covered over seven large reefs in the Spratlys to build a string of military bases, paving thousands of acres of coral atoll, it claims that the wreck of the Sierra Madre poses an unacceptable environmental risk to Second Thomas Shoal.

"The BRP Sierra Madre is a commissioned naval vessel and its presence in Ayungin Shoal is well within the Philippines’ sovereign rights and jurisdiction," said Tarriela in a statement. "The Philippines will remain committed to the peaceful settlement of disputes, including through dialogue and consultation, and will honor the understanding on [resupply] missions. We expect China will also adhere to the understanding as negotiated."

China claims a wide swathe of the Philippine EEZ under its "nine-dash line" policy, which asserts that Beijing has sovereignty over the international waters of the South China Sea because of a history of Chinese navigation. An international tribunal dismissed these claims in 2016, ruling in favor of the Philippines, but China has ignored the decision.

Protestors Want Gibraltar to Turn Away OSG Tanker Carrying Fuel for Israel

A political firestorm is brewing in Gibraltar and neighboring Spain as a US-flagged tanker, Overseas Santorini, reportedly carrying military fuel for Israel, was seeking a port for bunkering. The Overseas Shipping Group (OSG) tanker arrived off Gibraltar Tuesday night despite the ongoing protests but it is unclear if it will be permitted to bunker.

Protestors singled out the US-owned tanker Overseas Santorini (51,662 dwt) over the past few days as the vessel was making its way from a refinery in Corpus Christi, Texas. Reports said it has approximately 300,000 barrels of military fuel aboard. British politicians allege the vessel regularly makes the run between Texas and the port of Ashkelon, Israel.

Pro-Palestinian protestors staged a march with 150 people at the offices of the Spanish government on Saturday in Algeciras calling for the authorities to turn the vessel away. Reports are that the tanker was planning to bunker in the Spanish port, but over the weekend the destination on its AIS signal changed to Gibraltar. The British authorities in Gibraltar confirmed on Monday that they had received a routine request from the tanker to stop in Gibraltar for bunkering.

Activists were calling for support from dockworkers, port workers, traffic managers, boaters, sailors, fishers, and ferries to all support the effort to prevent the vessel from making the port call. On Monday, they were joined by a Spanish politician who called for the national court to issue a detention and inspection order if the Overseas Santorini entered Spanish waters.

A group of 18 British politicians who are members of parliament also signed a joint letter dated July 29 to Foreign Secretary David Lammy in London as well as the Chief Minister and Lt. General Governor of Gibraltar. They called for the officials to “do everything in your power to prohibit and prevent Gibraltar,” from being used for a vessel transporting military fuel bound for Israel.

The Overseas Santorini transited the Strait of Gibraltar Tuesday afternoon local time with media reports saying it was being shadowed by the Spanish frigate Victoria. There was no comment from the Spanish authorities.

The tanker first anchored to the west of Gibraltar with the Gibraltar Chronicle reporting it was in an area frequently used by vessels waiting for clearance to enter the area used for bunkering. Later Tuesday, the newspaper reported the vessel was moved into the eastern anchorage. It highlights that bunkering is not permitted in that area, but that the vessel appeared to be conducting a crew change and possibly taking on stores. Observers were watching to see if the tanker would be permitted to move to the bunkering anchorage.

Since the war in Gaza began there have been several similar incidents. In May, activists targeted a cargo ship they believed was carrying military supplies to Israel. The Spanish authorities denied the vessel that they said was carrying explosives from operating in Spanish waters or making a port stop in Cartagena. Protestors in Australia have also targeted Zim vessels which they contended were carrying military supplies.

U.S. Navy Names Destroyer After an Irish Citizen

Destroyer in graving dock — Courtesy Bath Iron Works

In a ceremony Saturday at Bath Iron Works, the U.S. Navy christened the newest Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, USS Patrick Gallagher. The ship is the 77th hull in a long-running and successful series of guided-missile warships which form the mainstay of the surface fleet's operations.

The destroyer is named after an Irishman, Lance Cpl. Patrick Gallagher, who was born in County Mayo in 1944. He moved to Long Island in 1962 and enlisted in the Marine Corps three years later.

Gallagher deployed to South Vietnam after basic training and was soon in the fight. On July 18, 1966, his company was operating near Cam Lo, northwest of Hue. He and three other marines were manning a defensive position, and were attacked by enemy soldiers at about 0145 in the morning. A grenade landed in Gallagher's position, and he kicked it out. A second grenade landed between two of his fellow Marines, and Gallagher threw himself on it to absorb the blast and save them. Luckily for Gallagher, it did not go off, and his squad leader ordered him to throw it into the nearby river - where it promptly detonated.

Gallagher survived this encounter and was awarded the Navy Cross. "Through his extraordinary heroism and inspiring valor in the face of almost certain death, he saved his comrades from probable injury and possible loss of life," his medal citation concluded.

However, he would not survive the war. On March 30, 1967, Gallagher was killed by small arms fire in a fight near Da Nang, South Vietnam. His body was recovered and returned home to Ballyhaunis, County Mayo for burial; his name can be found with all other fallen Marines, sailors, airmen and soldiers on the Memorial Wall in Washington.

In 2018, then-Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer selected Gallagher's name for the future destroyer DDG-127, christened at Bath this past weekend. The ceremony was a celebration of Irish heritage and the longstanding ties between the U.S. and Ireland. Irish minister of state for the diaspora Sean Fleming was the keynote speaker, and Gallagher's sisters were in attendance.

"I offer my sincere congratulations and best wishes to the entire Gallagher family today on this important recognition of Patrick's achievements and life," Minister Fleming said.

The event proceeded despite attempts at disruption. A group of pro-Palestine protesters tried to prevent attendees from entering on the morning of the ceremony, and nine individuals staged a sit-in to block traffic. This small group was arrested for criminal trespassing; one man was also cited for littering after he deposited fake blood on the ground.

Broken Bulker Continues to Leak Oil onto South African Coast

bulker wreck — Wreck of Ultra Galaxy is now in four pieces on the South African coast (SAMSA)

South Africa was moving to expand its coastal clean-up efforts on Tuesday as the Ultrabulk vessel Ultra Galaxy continues to leak oil. The vessel broke into four pieces over the weekend as it was pounded by the heavy surf as a cold front moved across the region.

The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) believes that one of the fuel tanks aboard the Ultra Galaxy (13,800 dwt) has ruptured and began leaking as the vessel broke apart. Current estimates are that there are at least 500 tons of fuel still aboard the wreck that they hope to remove. Salvage efforts on the vessel however remained suspended with the surf making it too dangerous to access the ship.

The Ultra Galaxy fell on its side and grounded approximately 180 miles north of Cape Town in a remote coastal area. In addition to the salvage team, the government recruited local residents and reports at least 125 people are now assisting in the coastal clean-up. They were expecting to expand the force on Tuesday while also bringing in additional equipment as a precaution in response to the spill.

About two-thirds of a mile of the coastline south of the wreck is covered with oil (SAMSA)

The weather conditions are reported to be helping in containing the oil spill. It is covering about two-thirds of a mile south of the wreck. The ocean is also helping to form tar balls which are coming ashore and they said are easier to remove from the sand.

“The heavy swells and wind waves assisted in washing the oil onto the immediate beach, preventing any oil spill from drifting seawards and further down the coastline,” reports SAMSA. It expects the clean-up operation to continue throughout the week following the country’s Oil Spill Contingency Plan.

In addition to the oil leak, SAMSA has warned of potential debris from the wreck (SAMSA)

“Continuous monitoring of the vessel is being conducted through both aerial and surface surveys to track the extent of the spill and its environmental impact,” writes SAMSA.

One of the concerns is for seabirds. So far there have been no reports of the wildlife being impacted but it is reported that gannets and penguins forage in the region. The spill is also near the Elephant Rock Marine Reserve.

Efforts will continue to try and contain the oil spill. SMIT International is now responsible for the salvage of the hulk.

First Phase of Salvage of Capsized Bulker Completed Reports SAMSA

South African officials reported that the first phase of the recovery effort for the grounded bulker Ultra Galaxy has been completed. With a break in the harsh winter weather, they report progress is being made while cautioning that another cold front is due to cross the area in the coming days.

The Ultra Galaxy developed a severe list on July 9 during a winter storm off South Africa’s west coast forcing the crew to abandon ship. The crew was rescued by a fishing boat in the area and transferred to shore and later returned home to the Philippines. The vessel continued to drift grounding on a remote part of the Atlantic coast.

“The immediate emergency phase of the salvage operation has concluded,” the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) reported in its latest update. “This phase included the search and recovery of flotsam and other debris from the ship and sealing the fuel tanks to prevent any oil from spilling into the ocean. A new salvage company, Smit International, has since been appointed to carry on the next phase.”

Earlier this week, on July 23, dive inspections rechecked the structural integrity of the ship and its fuel tanks. In the next phase, the salvage team will be installing a monitoring system that will track the ship’s movement, stresses, and bending forces on the hull as the vessel lies on its side in the surf.

A bathymetric survey is also underway in the waters around the Ultra Galaxy and further off the coast. These steps will help the salvage team plan for the removal of the vessel.

Debris has been removed from the beach (SAMSA)

High seas in the days after the ship grounded dislodged hatch covers which were found washed ashore and floating in the bay. In addition, SAMSA warned that the cargo of bagged fertilizer had been exposed to the ocean. While much of it was thought to have dissolved in the ocean, plastic bags were washing up on shore.

As a next step, SAMSA reports a platform supply vessel will be anchored near the wreck. It will be used the help stabilize the ship. Previously, SAMSA said the plan also called for offloading the fuel and other oils from the ship.

While progress has been made as the weather subsided, they are expecting more severe weather conditions this weekend. They expect the pace of the efforts will be slowed while the concern remains that the vessel could break apart.

Dual-Fuel Bulker Strikes Anchored Ship's Bow, Damaging LNG Tank

On July 16, a dual-fuel LNG bulker allided with an anchored ship off the busy Hay Point terminal in northeastern Australia, causing extensive damage.

According to multiple social media accounts, the LNG-capable bulker HL Eco was preparing to anchor off Hay Point when she suffered a propulsion casualty. As she drifted, her port side struck the bow of the anchored bulker YM Serenity at low speed. As HL Eco slid past, the YM Serenity's prow struck her port side LNG fuel tank. The YM Serenity's starboard side anchor lodged in HL Eco's port side, and the still-moving HL Eco dragged on the anchor chain as she drifted away.

Instead of seeking a place of safety, several members of YM Serenity's crew ran towards the bow as HL Eco struck their ship, and they attempted to control the starboard side anchor as it paid out under tension.

According to social media reports, Marine Safety Queensland was notified, and two tugs were dispatched to assist the stricken vessels. Both safely re-anchored to await inspection. Neither ship suffered damage below the waterline, and no pollution or injuries have been reported.

HL Eco is a 2020-built Capesize bulker with a capacity of 180,000 dwt and a comparatively clean inspection record, with only three deficiencies in four years.

Fortescue and China Cosco Cooperate on Ammonia-Fueled Ships

The ammonia-powered OSV Green Pioneer, the first vessel of its type (Fortescue) — The ammonia-powered OSV Fortescue Green Pioneer, the first vessel of its type (Fortescue)

China Cosco, the world's largest shipowner, has agreed to work with Australian mining conglomerate Fortescue to build a new series of bulkers powered by green ammonia. The ships would be used to transport Fortescue's iron ore to China, without onboard emissions.

"The cooperation marks another big step in decarbonizing the shipping industry," said Fortescue in a statement. "These solutions will be integral to achieving our net zero Scope 3 emission target by 2040."

Fortescue already operates the world's first tested ammonia dual-fuel vessel, the OSV Fortescue Green Pioneer. In March, the ship underwent its first trial burning a combination of ammonia and diesel fuel at the Port of Singapore.

Fortescue has ambitious plans to eliminate its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2030, and it views China as an essential partner. Chinese steel mills are the primary customers for Fortescue's iron ore exports, and the Australian company wants China's support in decarbonizing its operations.

Just last month, Fortescue welcomed Chinese Premier Li Qiang to its green-tech test center in Perth for a tour of zero-emission locomotives, hydrogen-powered trucks and ammonia-fueled engines. The key to the pitch, though, is to partially process the ore in Australia - making "green iron" - and then ship the product to China to turn into steel.

"Our proposed Australia-Sino green iron metal supply chain will bring together mining powered by large-scale renewable power and green hydrogen to produce green iron metal. Our ambition is to provide 100 million tonnes of green iron metal to China each year, eliminating more than 200 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions," Fortescue chairman and founder Andrew Forrest said in June.

However, Fortescue recently walked back its plans to produce 15 million tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030, citing the rising cost of green electric power. It has withdrawn from marquee developments like the "Project Coyote" hydrogen plant in British Columbia, which ran into political difficulties over its need for massive amounts of electricity from hydropower.

On Monday, Fortescue's stock price fell by nine percent on news that a large institutional investor had put $1.2 billion worth of the company's outstanding shares up for sale as a block, equivalent to three percent of Fortescue's share volume. Bloomberg has identified the investor as Capital Group.

Access to Internet Divides Seafarers Into "Haves" and "Have-Nots"

A trend of the "haves and have-nots" is emerging in seafarers' welfare, even though the average level of happiness continues to improve, according to the latest Seafarers Happiness Index.

The Mission to Seafarers' index, which is the commercial shipping industry's barometer of sentiment at sea, reports that there appear to be two classes of life at sea for seafarers, with a "digital divide" at the core.

The second quarter's numbers show a positive trajectory in the level of happiness among seafarers. The index increased slightly to 6.99 on a scale of 10, a marginal rise from 6.94 in Q1. The trend is still on an upswing after a record low of 6.3 in the last quarter of 2023.

The positive shift comes down to improvements in a number of critical areas, including shore leave, wages, training, crew interaction, and workload. However, there are still perceived shortcomings in opportunities for contact with family, quality food and the ability to keep fit and healthy.

Despite the positive trend, there is a divide when it comes to accessing connectivity, as well as differing levels of training, preparedness for new fuels and new technologies. Seafarers working on tankers are reporting sentiments of being well-prepared, qualified, and ready to tackle the challenge of new fuels, those on dry cargo and container vessels feel left out of next-generation developments.

Seafarers serving aboard vessels with advanced satcom connectivity also have a perceived privilege. Though not explicitly linked to one service, some seafarers have access to high-speed connections like Starlink, with unlimited or high-capacity data. Others are still restricted by limited data allowances, slow connections, or a total lack of access.

Seafarers working on higher-tech, higher-margin vessels generally reported greater happiness. During the quarter, seafarers working in cable ships were the happiest, followed by cruise, ro/ro, bulk carriers, tankers, container ships and offshore vessels. Those working on general cargo were the unhappiest.

Iran Seizes Second Tanker Suspected of Fuel Smuggling in Two Weeks

oil tanker — Iran seized a small tanker accused of smuggling (Iranian TV)

Iranian officials said they are continuing the crackdown on smuggling of oil from Iran. They blame profiteers for driving the trade taking advantage of Iran’s low oil prices.

The product tanker Pearl G (2,000 dwt) was loading near the Arash oil field with Iranian barges reportedly shuttling fuel to the vessel. The tanker built in 1994 operated until 2023 for the South Koreans but has changed identifies twice in the past year. The Iranians are reporting the vessel which is registered in Togo and managed from Dubai is owned by an Iraqi living in Dubai.

AIS signals show the vessel shuttling back and forth in the Persian Gulf region and as of late July at the UAE’s Sharjah anchorage. The vessel is 236 feet (72 meters) and has a crew of nine aboard.

Iranian media is citing reports from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps that said on Friday, July 26, its forces boarded the vessel. They claimed to be acting under a judicial order and found the vessel to be loading from the barges. They asserted the vessel was preparing to depart with 700,000 barrels of smuggled oil.

After inspecting the vessel and detaining the crew, Iran ordered the vessel into the Khomeini port for further investigation.

Iranian officials said they have launched increased anti-smuggling operations alleging that smuggling has increased in recent months. Last year, Iran’s Nour News Agency alleged that smugglers each day were stealing as much as 20 million liters of oil robbing the country. Iran subsidies oil prices and with the collapse in its currency, oil prices are extremely low,

This is the third seizure of a tanker for smuggling that Iran has reported this year. Just over a week ago, Iran targeted an older tanker with a bit of a shadowy profile. The Betelgeuse (1,767 dwt) is also being reported as registered in Togo although its ownership and management are unclear. Reports said it had as much as 1.5 million liters of Marine Gas Oil aboard and was also directed into Iran. The vessel has 12 crew with media in Sri Lanka saying several are from its country.

Iran released a report in January on the seizure of another small tanker. A picture on Iranian state media appears to show the name Lavender on the ship, but additional details remained unclear.

These seizures are separate from the politically motivated seizures of large oil tankers. Iran is currently holding several Western tankers and their crews. Last week, Reuters reported that Iran had released the roughly one million barrel crude cargo on the tanker St Nikolas that was seized in January 2024. The vessel was the same one the U.S. had seized known as the Suez Rajan and offloaded in 2023. The tanker remains in Iran

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