Greece turns up heat on Russian oil STS transfers with advisory extension
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by 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.
Related: IBIA: ‘Dark fleet’ STS transfers discussed at IMO
Related: IMO: Addressing ship-to-ship oil transfers and tankers in the ‘dark fleet’
Photo credit: Peter Boccia on Unsplash
Published: 9 May 2024
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