Dark Fleet Oil Tanker Carrying Venezuelan Oil Runs Aground In Indonesia

According to ship tracking company TankerTrackers and Indonesian authorities, an oil tanker carrying Venezuelan oil under sanctions has grounded in Indonesian waters close to the Singapore Strait.

The MT Liberty, which is flying the flag of Cameroon and is transporting 139,000 tonnes of oil, has been grounded near the Riau Islands since December 2.

This incident is the latest in a string of comparable ones that have happened this year involving “dark fleet” ships or boats not part of the recognised maritime industry. Such incidents have drawn the attention of the International Maritime Organization, which regards them as a significant threat to international shipping.

This is the second time in 14 months that a dark fleet tanker has grounded west of the Singapore Strait, according to TankerTracker’s social media posts.

Nearly a million barrels of fuel oil from Venezuela are being transported by MT Liberty, which is under US sanctions that were put in place in 2015 because of human rights abuses.

Anro Casanova, the commander of the regional naval base, reports that the Indonesian Navy has sent out six tugboats to try to move the stranded vessel.

According to the preliminary assessment, the ship grounded while lowering its anchor to approach the dock of PT Oiltanking Karimun, a business that deals with fuel oil and petroleum products.

Due to the sanctions imposed on oil exports from Russia, Iran, and Venezuela, ships in these countries need more standard safety certifications, insurance, and precise ownership arrangements.

Sanctioned nations now use dark fleet ships to transport oil to consumers despite the ethical and environmental issues these vessels present.

Reference: Barrons

Dark Fleet Oil Tanker Carrying Venezuelan Oil Runs Aground In Indonesia appeared first on Marine Insight – The Maritime Industry Guide

Source: Maritime Shipping News