Evidence of ‘Shadow Fleet’ Confirmed as Tanker Grounds – Countless Others Lurking at Sea?
Proof of ‘Shadow Fleet’ as Tanker Runs Aground – How Many More Are Prowling the Sea?
Empires produce countless headaches. Sensible Americans have been aware of this for over two centuries.
According to the Indonesian-language news site Ulasan, the Cameroon-flagged tanker Liberty ran aground in shallow water around Asam Island south of Singapore on Dec. 2.
The Liberty is part of a secretive “shadow fleet,” a group of tankers that evade international regulations by hiding their whereabouts and transporting goods like oil from sanctioned nations.
For the 2nd time in 14 months, yet another Dark Fleet tanker has run aground west of the Singapore Strait. The vessel has been identified as LIBERTY (9207027).
According to our research, she’s laden with nearly a million barrels of Venezuelan fuel oil.https://t.co/JulhoMGgiK
— TankerTrackers.com, Inc. (@TankerTrackers) December 8, 2023
Bloomberg reported that the Liberty “had previously falsified its location to avoid detection on digital ship-tracking systems.”
In fact, data from vessel-tracking services TankerTrackers.com and Kpler revealed that while the Liberty loaded oil off the coast of Venezuela, it used “spoofing” to deceive digital tracking systems into thinking it was near West Africa.
Since 2019, the U.S. has imposed strict sanctions on Venezuelan oil to pressure President Nicolas Maduro’s regime.
However, Reuters reported that the Biden administration eased those sanctions in October after Maduro made a deal with opposition parties ahead of the 2024 Venezuelan election.
The timing of the Liberty incident is peculiar, considering it concealed its presence in Venezuelan waters despite the eased oil sanctions.
Maritime experts were well aware of the ship’s existence. Marine Traffic, a vessel-tracking service, identified the Liberty as a crude oil tanker flying the Cameroonian flag. As of Monday, the tracking service placed the Liberty’s current location as ”INDO – Singapore Area.”
Part of the problem lies in the fact that older “shadow fleet” vessels pose safety risks.
This month, the International Maritime Organization, the maritime regulation arm of the United Nations, called for crackdowns on the “shadow fleet,” according to Splash247.com.
An IMO resolution specifically targeted the practice of concealing identity or evading detection, urging port states to subject suspicious ships to enhanced inspections.
Moreover, the “shadow fleet” has political implications. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Western leaders imposed sanctions on Russian oil. In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin turned to the “shadow fleet,” as reported by the Financial Times.
Russian oil expert Craig Kennedy of Harvard’s Davis Center observed Putin’s “shadow fleet” grow to over 100 oil tankers by December 2022.
On the safety front, preventing environmental disasters is a concern for international organizations and port states. Additionally, aging tankers owned by unscrupulous individuals serve hostile regimes that the U.S. opposes.
One way to avoid these political complications would be to adopt a more restrained international approach. If the U.S. did not engage in a proxy war against Russia through Ukraine, Putin’s “shadow fleet” would not be a U.S. concern.
As Secretary of State John Quincy Adams wisely said in 1821, the U.S. supports “freedom and independence” but does not go abroad in search of monsters to destroy.
The post Proof of ‘Shadow Fleet’ as Tanker Runs Aground - How Many More Are Prowling the Sea? appeared first on The Western Journal.
How can port states substantially increase their inspections and enforcement actions to effectively address the issue of hidden tankers and their illicit activities?
Stantially increase their inspections and enforcement actions. This is a significant step towards addressing the issue of these hidden tankers and their illicit activities.
The presence of the “shadow fleet” raises concerns about the movement of goods, particularly oil, from sanctioned nations. In the case of the Liberty, it was found to be carrying nearly a million barrels of Venezuelan fuel oil. This indicates a potential violation of the strict sanctions imposed on Venezuela by the United States. It is alarming to think that these tankers are able to operate under the radar, evading international regulations and engaging in illicit activities.
The fact that the Liberty falsified its location using spoofing techniques further highlights the sophisticated nature of these operations. By misleading digital ship-tracking systems, the tanker was able to give the appearance of being in West Africa while loading oil off the coast of Venezuela. This deliberate act of deception demonstrates the lengths to which these “shadow fleet” vessels will go to avoid detection.
The recent easing of sanctions by the Biden administration in response to a political deal made by the Maduro regime adds another layer of complexity to this situation. While the intention may have been to encourage political progress in Venezuela, it also creates an opportunity for these hidden tankers to exploit the relaxed restrictions on Venezuelan oil. The incident involving the Liberty, occurring after the sanctions were eased, raises questions about the effectiveness of such measures and the need for continued vigilance.
The issue of the “shadow fleet” also highlights safety concerns. As older vessels, these tankers may not meet the same safety standards as newer ships. This puts both the crew members on board and the environment at risk. The International Maritime Organization’s resolution calling for crackdowns on the “shadow fleet” acknowledges these risks and emphasizes the need for increased inspections and enforcement actions by port states. It is crucial that these measures are implemented to ensure the safety and security of maritime operations.
In conclusion, the recent incident involving the Liberty tanker and its inclusion in the “shadow fleet” exposes the existence of a network of hidden tankers that evade international regulations. The ability of these vessels to operate undetected raises concerns about the movement of goods, particularly oil, from sanctioned nations. The falsification of the Liberty’s location using spoofing techniques further highlights the sophisticated nature of these operations. The recent easing of sanctions on Venezuelan oil adds complexity to the situation and necessitates continued vigilance. The safety risks associated with older “shadow fleet” vessels underscore the importance of increased inspections and enforcement actions. It is imperative that port states take decisive measures to address this issue and ensure the safety and security of maritime operations.
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