Benin: Newest False Flag Used by Iran’s Shadow Fleet
Two VLCCs Flagged Under Fraudulent Benin Registry Benin has become the newest country exploited by Iran’s dark fleet, with two very large crude carriers (VLCCs) falsely claiming its flag. Azelia (IMO 9365776), a 2009-built VLCC, is currently broadcasting Benin’s flag — one designated as false by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). Another VLCC, Flora (IMO...
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6 Key Maritime Trends from the Iran Conflict
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When Flag States Miss the Mark: Risks, Gaps, and the Sanctions Fallout
Flag states play a key role in keeping the maritime industry compliant and accountable, but when they fall short, the consequences ripple across global trade. A flag state is the country under whose laws a vessel is registered or licensed. Every commercial ship must be flagged under a state, and that state is responsible for...
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The EU’s 17th Sanctions Package: Targeting Russia’s Shadow Fleet and War Economy
Expanding Sanctions on Russia’s Shadow Fleet The European Union has introduced its most comprehensive set of sanctions yet in response to Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine. The 17th package specifically targets Russia’s clandestine network of oil tankers, known as the “shadow fleet,” aiming to severely restrict Russia’s oil revenues, a critical source of funding for...
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Europe’s Shadow Fleet Step Shows What’s Coming…
The European Union has taken a major step in its ongoing campaign against the shadow fleet – a sprawling network of aging, uninsured, and often sanctioned vessels quietly operating in European waters. The European Commission amended the Vessel Monitoring Directive to require all vessels passing through EU waters – even those not calling at an...
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