Huge Vessel Reviews and Specifications

Recent AIS data has unveiled that the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) is once again altering the identities of its fleet. This identity overhaul is a routine tactic employed since sanctions were imposed in 2012, involving changes to vessel names, MMSI numbers, and call signs for a significant portion of its crude tankers. Historically, these modifications occurred approximately every six months until early 2014. Initially perceived as necessary due to certain flags being unwilling or unable to be registered, this practice continued even after many vessels began indicating they were flagged in Zanzibar in late 2012. The anticipated renaming cycle in early 2014 was unexpectedly halted, likely due to the interim agreement aimed at easing sanctions, leading many to believe that the policy had been abandoned. However, as of August 2014, the fleet has reinitiated these identity changes with several vessels being updated in quick succession. Notably, the screenshot captures the Khark Island Anchorage, a common site for vessel renaming. In the last few days, several crude oil carriers have undergone name changes, including Huge (previously Hantams), Dune (formerly Dusk), Serena (once Salaleh), Sana (formerly Success), and the intriguing case of Dino (originally Discovery), which was registered as two vessels simultaneously during its renaming on AIS. Moreover, four additional ships have already changed names, with expectations that others will follow suit in the coming weeks. Source: ihsmaritime360