Rudra Vessel Reviews and Specifications

In a significant move to combat illicit oil trading, the U.S. government has enacted sanctions against a series of vessels and entities involved in the transportation of Iranian oil. These sanctions aim to disrupt the financial channels bolstering the militant actions of Hezbollah along with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force (IRGC-QF). Four tankers, 'Confidence P' (IMO: 9178044), 'Nova', 'Rival' (IMO: 9117818), and 'Tiyara' (IMO: 9231224), have been specifically listed due to their connections with Abdul Jalil Mallah and his sibling Luay al-Mallah. Luay, the newest member of the sanctions roster, has been identified as engaging in illicit shipping practices, orchestrating the transfer of Iranian oil for Hezbollah and IRGC-QF's benefit. In conjunction with this, the U.S. Treasury has classified both brothers and their associated assets within its jurisdiction. Additionally, Star Ocean Shipmanage Ltd. has come under U.S. sanctions along with three of its vessels: 'Eternal Success' (IMO: 9307633), 'Eternal 8' (IMO: 9232448), and 'Eternal Peace' (IMO: 9259745). These vessels were reported to have conducted voyages in violation of U.S. sanctions on the IRGC-QF as recently as July 2024. Reports suggest that they utilized deceptive methods—such as ship-to-ship transfers and AIS spoofing—to mask their operations while transporting oil. Moreover, the tanker 'Serene I' (IMO: 9197832) has been sanctioned for its role in transporting IRGC-QF oil from Iran to China on behalf of Concepto Screen SAL Offshore, a firm alleged to have connections with Hezbollah. The ownership of this vessel belongs to Dragon Road Ltd., based in the Marshall Islands, which has also been added to the sanctions list. Similarly, the tanker 'Feng Tau' (IMO: 9248473) has faced sanctions due to alleged transportation of oil from Iran to mainland China, impacting both the vessel and its Hong Kong-based owner, Tai Feng Hai Shipping Ltd.

In a serious environmental incident, Israel's Ministry of Environmental Protection has accused Iran of intentionally discharging thousands of tonnes of crude oil from the tanker 'Emerald' into its economic waters. This act, which took place between February 1 and 2, 2021, has resulted in significant pollution affecting over 100 miles of the Mediterranean coastline. Following an exhaustive two-week investigation, authorities pinpointed the 'Emerald' among 35 initial suspects through laboratory analysis, satellite tracking, and a thorough elimination process. The tanker, which was reflagged from Malta to Panama in December 2020, has been acquired by Oryx Shipping Ltd, as confirmed by a spokesperson from Libya's state-owned General National Maritime Transport Co. This new ownership has connections to a company based in Piraeus with links to Syria, reportedly owned by Luay Mallah. Notably, prior to the spill, the 'Emerald' loaded a substantial cargo of 90,000 tonnes of crude oil in Iran, destined for Syria. The investigation revealed that the crude oil that surfaced on Israel’s shores from February 17 matched that of the cargo aboard the 'Emerald'. Of particular concern is the association with the UAE-based Islamic P&I Club, noted for providing liability insurance exclusively for Iranian shipowners, which signifies a strong link to the vessel. According to the flag registry, the ownership of the 'Emerald' is obscured by a single-ship entity, Emerald Marine Ltd, located in the Marshall Islands. Spanning a fleet of about 130 aging tankers totaling 19.5 million dwt, the 'Emerald' has reportedly been purchased by anonymous entities for immediate utilization in trades that sidestep US sanctions. Surveillance data revealed that the tanker turned off its Automatic Identification System (AIS) while traversing the Gulf and Red Sea, only to briefly turn it back on for a passage through the Suez Canal before again going dark late on February 1. Israeli authorities assert that the tanker entered its economic waters during the period when the AIS was off, alleged to have dumped crude oil before re-emerging near Syria's coast. The 'Emerald' is suspected to have completed ship-to-ship transfers of the remaining crude oil before returning to Iran. Satellite imagery has indicated additional oil stains between Cyprus and Syria, aligning with the path followed by the vessel, as identified by the Ministry of Environmental Protection. The assertion that the tanker returned to Iran while maintaining a 'dark' status as it re-entered Israeli waters has raised alarms. Currently, the Israeli authorities are set to engage with the insurers of the 'Emerald' to secure compensation for the environmental damage from the International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds.