Fuel smuggling: Product Tanker Seized, Crew Detained in Iran
By Our Correspondent
Iranian commanders have reported seizing a foreign-registered tanker on allegations of fuel smuggling. Iran has claimed that these efforts are to curb rampant fuel smuggling in the region.
According to FleetMon, “The Iranian Commander, Heidar Honarian-Mojarrad, has stated that the tanker was seized around 60 miles off the coast of Bandar Bushehr in southern Iran. He revealed that the tanker originated from a “country in Oceania” but did not provide further details.
“The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps was reportedly acting under court orders when they carried out the seizure. The ship was carrying 2 million liters of diesel fuel that was allegedly being smuggled out of Iran. The tanker has been monitored since its refueling as part of Iranian monitoring of shipping activity.
“12 crew members originating from two countries have also been detained. The detained crew has been taken to the judicial authority of Bushehr Province, and the confiscated fuel has been handed over to the National Petroleum Refining and Distribution Company of Bushehr.
“Over the past year, Iran has seized several small tankers or vessels on the allegation of smuggling fuel. These allegations usually involve the illegal loading and departure of fuel from Iran by smuggling rings. Due to government subsidies provided to the local state-owned refineries and fuel distribution systems, Iran has the world’s cheapest fuel prices, which has led to smuggling operations forming around the opportunity.
“Iranian authorities have claimed to be continuously monitoring the seaports and the surrounding areas to combat smuggling. Iranian authorities have clarified that the seizure of tankers such as these is unrelated to Iran’s seizures of tankers stemming from political disputes.
“Two tankers were seized under similar allegations in December and accused of carrying 4.5 million liters of fuel when they were arrested near Abu Musa, an island halfway between Iran and Dubai.”
