South-east Asia’s dark fleet and the consequences for legitimate traders
Two tankers carrying out ship-to-ship transfer operation. Photo credit: Shutterstock, Vallehr
Thomas Timlen, analyst at Risk Intelligence, recently had a briefing republished on SAFETY4SEA, in which he discussed the well-known implications of unauthorised ship-to-ship transfers on the marine environment and the threats to innocent vessels.
4 July 2023
Unauthorised ship-to-ship transfers of liquid cargo in an attempt to evade sanctions threaten the marine environment and can affect legitimate shipping companies. The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) classifies ship-to-ship transfers in the open ocean as a "dangerous practice," and corporations operating vessels with names that are similar to fictitious vessel names or misappropriated identities may face enforcement agencies conducting investigations.
Small fishing trawlers, motorboats, tugs, and tankers are only some of the vessels that participate in unauthorised ship-to-ship activities in South-east Asia. Due to the high cost of constructing and maintaining shore-based waste reception facilities in conformity with the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), oil-contaminated bilge waste is often transferred from one ship to another before being transferred to a tanker for disposal.
The IMO’s Legal Committee has observed that between 300 and 600 tankers worldwide are currently operating as a 'dark fleet' or 'shadow fleet' to evade sanctions, increasing the likelihood of oil spills and crashes. These vessels are typically older vessels with poor maintenance, unclear ownership, and no insurance.
Read full article from SAFETY4SEA.