Legal

Greece turns up heat on Russian oil STS transfers with advisory extension

Greece’s Navy reportedly extended an advisory to prevent ship-to-ship transfers of Russian oil off the southeastern Peloponnese, miles off its coastline, according to major news outlets.

Published

7 months ago

May 9, 2024

Admin

Greece’s Navy on Wednesday (8 May) reportedly extended an advisory to prevent ship-to-ship (STS) transfers of Russian oil off the southeastern Peloponnese, miles off its coastline, according to major news outlets.

The navy will be conducting exercises until 19 May in the Laconian Gulf, an area known to be a meeting point to transfer Russian oil onto other vessels.

It was said to expire on 9 May but was instead extended.

International sanctions have made trading Russian crude and oil products difficult following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Following that, there have been concerns raised regarding the increased STS transfers at sea, in particular instances of ships using “dark operations” to hide their whereabouts.

Manifold Times previously reported the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) stating concerns raised regarding the ‘dark fleet’ or ‘shadow fleet’ at IMO meetings including MEPC 80.

The subject was discussed at the IMO’s Legal Committee (LEG 110) in March, and again at the 80th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 80) in July.

Multiple concerns have been raised at IMO meetings regarding an increase in ship-to-ship (STS) transfers at sea, in particular instances of ships using “dark operations” to hide their whereabouts. The subject was discussed at the IMO’s Legal Committee (LEG 110) in March, and again at the 80th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 80) in July.

The risks highlighted include that such practices may be used to circumvent sanctions and high insurance costs. From an environmental perspective, if there is a spill, there will be no pollution prevention and the responsible parties may evade liability under relevant liability and compensation regimes.

In 2023, IMO also released a statement that LEG 110 was informed that a fleet of between 300 and 600 tankers, primarily comprised of older ships with poor maintenance, unclear ownership and a severe lack of insurance, was currently operated as a ‘dark fleet’ or ‘shadow fleet’ to circumvent sanctions and high insurance costs.

Photo credit: Peter Boccia on Unsplash
Published: 9 May 2024

Vessel Arrest

Singapore: Marshall Islands-flagged bulker “Porthos” placed under Sheriff’s arrest

Vessel was arrested at 3.08pm on 7 December and is currently Eastern Special Purpose Anchorage A, Grid 5717C; arresting solicitor listed was law firm Joseph Tan Jude Benny LLP.

Published

3 days ago

December 11, 2024

Admin

A Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier, Porthos, was arrested in Singapore waters on Saturday (7 December).

The vessel was added to the list of vessels under Sheriff’s arrest in Singapore’s court system.

According to the list, the vessel was arrested at 3.08pm and the arresting solicitor listed was law firm Joseph Tan Jude Benny LLP. The ship is currently held at Eastern Special Purpose Anchorage A, Grid 5717C.

No details were provided in the list regarding the reason behind the arrest.

Photo credit: MarineTraffic / Peer Janssen
Published: 11 December, 2024

Vessel Arrest

Malaysia: MMEA detains Panama-registered container ship for illegal anchoring

Ship, which had 20 male Chinese nationals onboard including a Captain, was detained about 29 nautical miles southwest of Tanjung Karang at 1.40pm.

Published

5 days ago

December 9, 2024

Admin

Malaysia: MMEA detains Panama-registered container ship for illegal anchoring

Selangor Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) on Saturday (7 December) detained a container ship for anchoring without permission about 29 nautical miles southwest of Tanjung Karang at 1.40pm.

Selangor MMEA director Maritime Captain Abdul Muhaimin Muhammad Salleh said the arrest was a result of information from Area Control Centre (ACC) SWASLA Klang which traced the position of the ship.

Malaysia: MMEA detains Panama-registered container ship for illegal anchoring

Acting on information from the Maritime Department of the Central Region (JLWT) that the ship did not have clearance to anchor, a MMEA patrol boat intercepted the container ship.

The ship is said to be registered in Panama with 20 male crew onboard including a Captain, aged between 30 and 59. All of them were Chinese nationals with valid identification documents.

Malaysia: MMEA detains Panama-registered container ship for illegal anchoring

Further examination of the documents found that the ship's captain failed to present any documents for permission to anchor.

The case is being investigated under Section 491B (1) (l) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952, which carries a fine of not more than MYR 100,000 or a jail term of not more than two years, or both, for anchoring without permission.

An arrest warrant on the vessel was issued and the captain and a crew of the vessel have been taken to the Selangor State Maritime Headquarters for further investigation.

Photo credit: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
Published: 9 December, 2024

Legal

Vietnam: Two vessels seized over 31,000 litres of illegal diesel oil

Vietnam Coast Guard said vessels were transporting various quantities of oil material: “HP-3790” was transporting about 16,000 litres and “Phuong Nam 68” transported about 15,000 liters.

Published

5 days ago

December 9, 2024

Admin

The Vietnam Coast Guard on Thursday (5 December) said it detained vessel HP-3790 in the sea bordering Hai Phong City and Quang Ninh Province.

The Coast Guard discovered the ship at 2pm on 4 December displaying several suspicious signs and ordered the vessel to stop for administrative inspections.

The authority proceeded to inspect the vessel, which had three crew members on board, and found it to be transporting about 16,000 litres of diesel oil with no invoices or documents proving its legal origin.

HP 3790

The Coast Guard also detained another ship, Phuong Nam 68, that also had three crew members on board at 10am on 5 December.

The ship was transporting about 15,000 liters of DO oil with no invoices or documents proving its legal origin.

As such, the ships were handed over to the Command of Coast Guard Region 1 for further investigation and handling in accordance with the provisions of law.

Photo credit: Vietnam Coast Guard
Published: 9 December, 2024