What Crew Members Say About Bigli

In a significant transaction within the maritime industry, a vessel has officially been sold to Breakers as of May 25, 2026. This acquisition highlights the ongoing developments in ship recycling and the growing market for dismantling aging ships. Breakers, known for their expertise in ship dismantling, has added another vessel to their fleet, further establishing their presence in this critical segment.

In a significant development, Dubai-based firm GMS has obtained the first U.S. permit allowing it to purchase and recycle vessels that were sanctioned due to their involvement in trade with Iran. The permits, issued earlier in April, enable GMS to scrap four container ships: 'Yogi', 'Timon', 'Rantanplan', and 'Bigli'. These vessels were highlighted in a Treasury Department notice dated July 2025, which outlined ambitious actions targeting the shadow fleet linked to Hossein Shamkhani, an entity whose family ties extend to former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. GMS has initiated steps to acquire these ships, although potential buyers have exhibited hesitance given the vessels' sanctioned status. The company has formally requested the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to remove these assets from its blacklist. This development may set a precedent for more vessels trapped in sanctions to be decommissioned in the future. The four container ships in question were previously operated by Marvise SMC DMCC, a firm based in the United Arab Emirates and associated with Shamkhani’s network. Significantly, the vessels' ownership lies with a separate entity not subject to sanctions. Throughout their operational lifespan, these ships have sailed under various names—once known as 'OOCL Kaohsiung', they were later rebranded with whimsical names inspired by cartoon characters. For example, 'Rantanplan', named after a lovable canine from the Lucky Luke series, and 'Timon', referencing the spirited meerkat from Disney's The Lion King. In a parallel narrative, the ship 'Pinocchio' recently captured headlines when it was targeted by Houthi forces in the Red Sea. This vessel has also faced sanctions and has been inactive since summer 2025, joining others like 'Hakuna Matata' and 'Bertie' in idle status. With the recent U.S. authorization, the expectation grows that more vessels associated with the shadow fleet might soon follow suit towards the scrapyard.