U.S. Sanctions Six Shipowners and Prepares to Seize More Venezuela Tankers
Expanding Sanctions and the First Enforcement Actions As the United States prepared to intercept and seize more tankers off Venezuela, six shipping companies that owned sanctions-evading very large crude carriers were designated yesterday, with more expected in the coming days. The six companies were each the registered owners of six VLCCs (White Crane IMO 9323429;…
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The Dark Fleet, Lifeline of Sanctioned Oil Revenues, Is Under Attack
The U.S. government’s seizure of Skipper, alongside Ukraine’s drone attacks in the Black Sea, shows that the dark fleet of hundreds of flagless, stateless tankers can no longer operate unchallenged as they transport sanctioned oil and gas. KNOCKOUT. If you threaten our nation, or break the law, there is no place on land or sea…
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Six Essential Takeaways for Maritime Leaders from America’s New National Security Strategy
At a Glance A New Maritime Lens in America’s National Security Strategy The 2025 National Security Strategy (NSS) marks a decisive shift in how the United States defines and protects its national interests. Maritime activity now sits at the center of how the U.S. approaches competition, resilience, and strategic advantage. The NSS frames the maritime…
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Ukraine’s Drone War on Dark Fleet Triggers Diplomatic Tensions, Heightens Black Sea Risk
Rising Tensions Over the Tow of Kairos A diplomatic row is brewing between Türkiye and Bulgaria over how and why a tug towed the stricken shadow fleet tanker Kairos into Bulgarian territorial waters five days after it was hit by a Ukrainian drone. Kairos (IMO 9236004) was one of two sanctioned, Russia-trading, shadow fleet tankers…
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