Complete Maritime Profile & Reviews of Jaya

The vessel formerly known as 'Jaya', now rebranded as 'Quasar', has embarked on a journey to Singapore after around ten days of navigating the waters near Dalian, China. Under the IMO number of the scrapped vessel 'Sos' (IMO: 9233791), the Quasar appears to have faced difficulties in discharging its cargo during this recent voyage. On May 8, the vessel executed a ship-to-ship transfer of approximately 1.8 million barrels of Iranian crude oil from a National Iranian Tanker Company vessel off the coast of Singapore. Following this transfer, Quasar spent time lingering at Dongjiakou between May 23 and 27, with an estimated time of arrival (ETA) on May 24, incorrectly declaring its cargo as Iraqi. However, satellite imagery confirmed that the vessel was never docked at Dongjiakou, nor was it spotted at the Dalian port. In a bid to evade detection, 'Jaya' has been strategically altering its name and MMSI numbers, impersonating a scrapped ship while spoofing AIS/GNSS data to clandestinely transport Iranian oil to China, despite intensifying US sanctions and heightened global monitoring. After departing from Dalian on June 10, the vessel has now set its AIS destination to Singapore and has moved towards China's Zhejiang province. During a prior voyage to China in April, the Quasar successfully unloaded around two million barrels of Iranian crude at Dongjiakou, which it had transferred from another NITC tanker in the Gulf of Oman around March 12. Over recent months, the 'Jaya' vessel has demonstrated intricate tactics to obscure its identity and positioning, posing significant challenges for tracking by authorities and analysts alike. This development comes as China’s oil trade and associated companies face mounting scrutiny from the US; earlier this year, several private Chinese refineries and terminal operators were sanctioned for purportedly engaging in the acceptance of Iranian crude oil. Moreover, the Shandong Port Group, which oversees Dongjiakou and several other significant ports, implemented a ban in January on servicing vessels under US sanctions.

On December 3, 2024, the United States government unveiled a comprehensive sanctions package targeting 35 vessels and entities connected to the transportation of Iranian crude oil and its derivatives to international markets. This decisive action is rooted in recent Iranian hostilities towards Israel, including attacks that occurred on October 1, alongside the country's alarming progress in nuclear capabilities. The primary objective of these sanctions is to disrupt Iran's nuclear development, hinder advancements in missile and drone technology, and curb their financial support for terrorist factions by restricting oil sales. Among the entities affected, 18 tankers have been pinpointed for their alleged involvement in the transport of tens of millions of barrels of oil on behalf of Iran. Notable tankers taking center stage in this round of sanctions include the 'Rioo Napo' and 'Lara II,' both owned and managed by the Indian firm Vision Ship Management LLP, which has also been sanctioned. The RIO NAPO has a history of transporting Iranian naphtha to the UAE, further implicating its role in this complex maritime landscape. Additionally, the tanker 'Tonil' has come under scrutiny for its history of evading sanctions while facilitating the movement of millions of barrels of Iranian oil. Owned and managed by the sanctioned Ukrainian Lightship Management Ltd., the Tonil’s operations have raised concerns within the US administration. Another entity facing sanctions is India’s Tightship Shipping Management (OPC) Private Ltd., known for managing vessels instrumental in these transactions. This latest wave of sanctions underscores the US's strategic efforts to weaken Iran's financial networks tied to oil and to exhibit a stronger stance against the country's involvement in global hostilities.

On February 4, 2011, U.S. Navy forces successfully intervened in a pirate attack targeting the cargo vessel "Duqm" as it journeyed from Fujairah to Yeosu, South Korea. The incident occurred in the strategic Gulf of Oman, prompting a swift response from the USS "Momsen" and the USS "Bunker Hill". After receiving a distress signal from the Duqm's crew, who reported that pirates were attempting to board their ship, the Navy warships quickly arrived at the scene. They discovered two pirate skiffs alongside the tanker, complete with ladders deployed for boarding. The determination and expertise of the Navy personnel resulted in the pirates being chased away, with subsequent tracking revealing a larger vessel supporting their operations in the Arabian Sea. To prevent any future threats, the Navy took decisive action and destroyed the pirate skiffs, ensuring greater safety in the region.