Iran Captures Foreign Vessel With 2M Litres Of Smuggled Fuel Near Bushehr

Iran has reportedly detained a foreign vessel loaded with about two million litres of smuggled Diesel fuel close to the city of Bushehr. Cmdr. Heidar Honarian-Mojarrad, associated with the Second Naval Region of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, mentioned on Sunday that the vessel with the flag of a country belonging to Oceania was apprehended about 60 miles off the Bushehr port coast per a judicial order.

Nearly 14 foreign crew members associated with two Asian countries had been detained following the identification of smuggling. Honarian declared that the completion of legal processes and the transfer of the vessel’s crew members to the judicial authorities of Bushehr.

Cmdr. Heidar Honarian-Mojarrad also stated that this confiscated contraband fuel would be handed over to the National Oil Refining and Distribution Company in Bushehr, following the law. He added that the vessel was under strict surveillance since it was loading fuel and was also intercepted on entering the operational zone of the Second Naval Region of the Revolutionary Guards.

Honarian didn’t share information as to where the vessel had loaded the fuel or where it was sailing. Iran’s role as a significant oil producer and the country’s provision of worldwide low petrol prices result in fuel trafficking activities in the region. Iranian forces target tankers that are involved in fuel transportation in the Gulf almost daily. The incident follows a similar incident in September when Iran detained two oil tankers flying the flags of Tanzania and Panama for smuggling fuel in the Gulf.

The increased presence of the US military in the Gulf has been noted, with some accusations against Iran for trying to seize vessels in such a strategic shipping lane.

Reference: FirstPost

Iran Captures Foreign Vessel With 2M Litres Of Smuggled Fuel Near Bushehr appeared first on Marine Insight – The Maritime Industry Guide

Source: Maritime Shipping News