Liliana Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

The tanker 'Liliana' has been released by Iraqi authorities following its interception on July 6 while docked at a side-loading platform in Basra’s oil terminal, situated in the Arabian Gulf. The vessel was carrying a substantial load of 93,000 tonnes of fuel oil but encountered difficulties when it was unable to provide adequate documentation during the inspection process. After being granted a 48-hour period by Iraq's port authorities to rectify the paperwork, a court has now determined that no violations occurred, leading to the vessel's release. The 'Liliana' is back on its journey, making its way through the Persian Gulf towards its next destination, Khor Fakkan.

In a significant move to curtail illegal oil trading in the Gulf region, Iraqi naval forces have apprehended the tanker 'Liliana', suspected of engaging in fuel oil smuggling activities. The vessel was intercepted approximately 26 nautical miles off the coast of Iraq, near the Basra oil terminal, while transporting an impressive 93,000 metric tons of fuel oil, believed to have originated from Iraq. During the operation, armed personnel deployed on the tanker conducted interrogations with the crew and meticulously examined their passports. This mission was prompted by intelligence reports indicating ongoing smuggling operations in the area. The judiciary has taken charge of the tanker's documentation, and the vessel is set to be towed to port while awaiting a court ruling. Notably, on August 15, the 'Liliana' had previously dropped anchor near Khor Fakkan at coordinates 25° 22' N 056° 25' E.

On December 20, 2019, the Singapore Strait became the scene of multiple piracy incidents as three ships were attacked in a single day. The first vessel, the 'Jian Fa', which was navigating the strait en route to China, encountered an alarming situation at 5:32 a.m. when unknown assailants boarded the ship. By 7 a.m., the crew informed the Singapore Vessel Traffic Service (VTIS) that after a thorough search of the vessel, the offenders were nowhere to be found, and fortunately, nothing was stolen. With the crew unharmed, the ship continued its journey. The night took a darker turn as the 'Jag Lalit', making its way to Kaohsiung, was attacked at approximately 11:25 p.m. Six armed intruders, brandishing knives, boarded the ship. During this encounter, the 4th Engineer was assaulted, receiving a punch to the face, while the chief engineer was left with bruises and had a gold chain stolen. Upon docking in Singapore, the Singapore Police Coast Guard promptly boarded the vessel to conduct an investigation, affirming that all crew members were safe. Similarly, another vessel, the 'Akij Globe', faced danger at 11:38 p.m. as it traveled through the same strait. Five armed individuals were discovered in the engine room, prompting the crew to trigger the alarm. The attackers, confronted by three crew members, managed to flee with stolen engine and generator parts using a small boat. Upon the ship’s arrival at the Singapore anchorage, the Singapore Police Coast Guard also conducted a thorough inspection, confirming the safety of all crew members. These incidents have prompted heightened security measures in the area as maritime authorities continue to address piracy threats in the Singapore Strait.

In a significant move, India's Ministry of Shipping has instructed Great Eastern Shipping Co (Gesco) to facilitate the transportation of Iranian oil for the state-owned Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL). This directive follows MRPL's decision to cut back on oil imports from Iran in July due to Gesco's refusal to transport the cargo, primarily attributed to the unavailability of insurance coverage amid European sanctions on Iranian shipments. As Iran's largest client in India, MRPL has an established annual contract with Gesco via Transchart, which is an agency of the federal shipping ministry. Last month, Gesco opted not to transport cargoes for MRPL after being unable to secure necessary insurance. However, an industry insider revealed that a message from the shipping ministry has now clarified that state-run insurers are permitted to provide limited insurance coverage for such shipments. Consequently, Gesco is now mandated to deliver tanker vessels for MRPL, ensuring the continuation of oil imports from Iran.