Consultants increase considerations about darkish fleet tanker in Mediterraneanrevealed at 13:57 GMT 26 January
Joshua Cheetham
BBC Confirm journalist
We’re persevering with to have a look at a so-called “darkish fleet” oil tanker – the Chariot Tide – which has been displaying some uncommon behaviour within the Mediterranean.
Monitoring knowledge from MarineTraffic exhibits it left northern Russia earlier than crusing by means of the Baltic and south in the direction of the Strait of Gibraltar, signalling it was travelling to Tangier, Morocco.
Because it approached the Strait of Gibraltar on 22 January, the 18-year-old ship started signalling “Not Underneath Command”. We will see 4 tug boats sailed round it because it travelled east by means of the strait at low pace.
On 24 January, monitoring exhibits it making looping actions within the Mediterranean earlier than persevering with east at low pace.
The rationale for that is unclear. Mark Douglas, an analyst at Starboard Maritime Intelligence, says its path of journey is completely different from the place the ship is pointing, suggesting that it could be being carried by robust winds.
One of many darkish fleet tankers – Progress – was captured by satellite tv for pc
A second vessel – named Progress – has additionally just lately signalled “Not Underneath Command” whereas within the Mediterranean. Douglas says data present this has been up to date to “In Casualty or Repairing”.
Satellite tv for pc imagery exhibits that it, too, is pointing in a distinct path to the place it’s really travelling.
Michelle Bockmann, senior analyst at Windward, says it’s probably that Progress has been heading in the direction of India or China with Russian crude oil.
In the meantime, Chariot Tide is being shadowed in worldwide waters by a Spanish search and rescue vessel.
Bockmann says Chariot Tide is falsely flagged to Mozambique and like many darkish fleet ships is uninsured. If an oil spill takes place this complicates who would pay for the cleanup.
“The darkish fleet is an accident ready to occur, and it is unsurprising, in a single respect, that we’re seeing vessels having mechanical difficulties,” says Bockmann.
