Russian crude oil and refined oil products have become trapped at sea on four tankers after the US sancioned the vessels with fresh Iran-related sanctions, reported Reuters, citing LSEG data shown on Friday.
On April 4th the US imposed new Iran-related sanctions against a shipping firm Oceanlink Maritime DMCC and its vessels, citing its role in shipping commodities on behalf of the Iranian military.
The list of vessels under sanctions includes three fuel tankers, which loaded oil products in February-March and a crude oil tanker that loaded Russian oil early in April.
A very large crude carrier (VLCC) Anthea (IMO 9281683) loaded some 200,000 metric tons of Russian Urals crude off the Laconian Gulf near Greece through separate ship to ship transfers (STS) with two vessels late in March and is currently anchored in the Suez Canal with oil onboard, reported Reuters, citing LSEG data.
Another vessel under sanctions – Elsa (IMO 9256468) – took fuel oil on board in March via a ship-to-ship transfer near the Greek port of Kalamata, claimed Reuters, once again citing LSEG data. The fuel oil, some 100,000 tonned, was supplied to Kalamata in March from the north-western Russian poorts of St Petersburg and Ust-Luga ports, according to the LSEG data.
Claire Jungman, chief of staff at US advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran, which tracks Iran-related tanker traffic via satellite data, confirmed the movements of both vessels. Jungman said that since 2021 Elsa had transported more than 9m barrels of Iranian crude or fuel oil to the UAE, Singapore and China.
Elsa has been at anchor off Singapore since early April, according to LSEG data.
The other vessel, the Hebe (IMO 9259185), was loaded with the 100,000 tons of fuel oil at the Russian Baltic ports St Petersburg and Ust-Luga, said Reuters. The tanker was heading towards the Suez Canal, with its final destinatioon as yet unclear.
The Baxter (IMO 9282522), which was loaded with the refined oil product naphtha at the Black Sea port of Novorossiisk, was recorded by LSEG sata as heading for India. The tanker has been idling in the Arabian Sea since April 5th, shipping data showed.
Jungman said that “the recent actions against ships tied to Iran’s military spotlight a serious shift: some of these ships, previously involved in dodging sanctions for Iran, have started dealings with Russia,” Jungman said. “These ships face major hurdles because of secondary sanctions. Ports worldwide are likely to deny them entry to avoid the repercussions of breaking these sanctions themselves …”, Jungman added. Reuters said that it had been unable to contact Oceanlink Maritime DMCC.
The full list of added vessels (all linked to Oceanlink Maritime DMCC, but ith a variety of named owners and ISM managers) on April 4th was:
Anthea (IMO 9281683), 2005-built Crude Oil Tanker 149,274 gt Comoros flag, owned and operated out of Dubai, ISM managed out of Hong Kong. As of April 13th in northern Red Sea, heading from Port Said to Singapore, ETA April 30th.
Baxter (IMO 9282522) 2004-built Oil Products Tanker 28,245 gt Belize flag; Owned and operated out of Dubai, ISM managed from Hong Kong. As of April 13th in Arabian Gulf, listed destination of Mundra, India on April 10th.
Boreas (IMO 9248497) 2002-built, 156,916 gt Crude Oil Tanker Comoros flag; Owned and operated out of Dubai. ISM managed out of Hong Kong. As of April 13th at Riau Anchorage, off Singapore.
Calypso Gas (IMO 9131101) 1997-built 5,420 LPG Tanker Antigua and Barbuda flag; Owned and operated out of Dubai; ISM managed out of Hong Kong. As of April 12th awaiting orders in Gulf of Oman (left Korfez, Turkiye on March 16th).
Cape Gas (IMO 9002491) 1992-built, 45,029 gt LPG Tanker Comoros flag; Owned and operated out of Dubai; ISM managed out of Hong Kong. Asof April 13th off the southern tip of India in the Laccadive Sea, heading from Zhapu, China, to Sharjah, UAE, ETA April 2th.
Demeter (HPGV) (IMO 9258674); 2003-built, 27,627 gt Oil Products Tanker Panama flag; Owned and operated out of Dubai. ISM managed out of Hong Kong. As of April 13th in the Persian Gulf, off Kuwait (arive Umm Qasr Anchorage on March 24th).
Elsa (IMO 9256468) 2003-built, 58,088 gt Crude Oil Tanker Belize flag; Owned and operated out of Dubai. ISM managed out of Hong Kong. As of April 13th at Riau Anchorage off Singapore.
Glaucus (IMO 9337389; ) Crude Oil Tanker Comoros flag; 2007-built. Owned, operated and ISM managed out of Dubai. As of April 13th off the West Coast of India (left Lakonikas Gulf on March 25th, ETA Singapore April 18th).
Hebe (IMO 9259185) 2002-built, 57,979 gt Crude Oil Tanker Comoros flag (according to OFAC and Marine Traffic), Panama-flagged (according to Equasis). Owned and managed out of Dubai. ISM managed out of Hong Kong. As of April 13th at southern end of Suez Canal, having left Ust-Luga on March 17th.
Hecate (IMO 9233753) 2002-built, 160,904 gt, Crude Oil Tanker Comoros flag; Owned and operated out of Dubai. ISM managed out of Hong Kong. As of April 13th off east coast of Taiwan. Left Pengerang, Malaysia on March 26th, heading for Dongjiakou, China, ETA April 16th.
Meraki (IMO 9194139) 1999-built, 56,115 gt Crude Oil Tanker Antigua and Barbuda flag. Owned and operated out of Dubai. ISM managed out of Hong Kong. As of April 13th in the Strait of Malacca to “China For Order”. Left Al Basrah anchorage on March 29th.
Oceanus Gas (IMO 9397080) 2010-built, 46,025 gt LPG Tanker Comoros flag; Owned and operated out of Dubai. ISM managed out of Hong Kong. As of April 13th at anchor off Zhapu, China (arrived April 13th).
Ourea (IMO 9350422) 2007-built, 47,194 gt LPG Tanker, Cook Islands flag. Owned and operated out af Dubai. ISM managed out of Hong Kong. As of April 13th approaching the Gulf of Oman, heading for Khor Fakkan ETA April 14th. Left Dong Guan on March 27th.
