- Logistics intelligence firms are tracking an increase in tankers shutting off transponders near Israel to move and unload cargo undetected.
- Key ports including those at Haifa and Ashdod, which handle oil, fertilizers, and other chemicals, have been under rocket fire during the Israel-Hamas war, and the Port of Ashkelon, Israel’s biggest oil importing port, is already closed.
- Global logistics intelligence firms say Israel has taken several steps with its oil port and pipeline flows to prevent an energy crisis.
Oil tankers in the Red Sea are taking unusual actions amid the Israel-Hamas war, shutting off their global tracking transponders — called Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) — to traverse the waters undetected, reports CNBC.
Ballistic protection
“There’s been a big drop-off in tanker AIS signaling Israel as their destination,” said Homayoun Falakshahi, senior oil analyst at global trade intelligence firm Kpler. “We don’t see any crude-carrying tankers doing so at the moment.”
The moves to evade detection come as shipping lines are also being advised to wait further offshore with rocket attacks reported at the ports of Ashdod and Eilat in Israel.
“Vessels calling Israel are advised to apply ballistic protection measures,” global maritime risk management firm Ambrey wrote in a note to clients on Saturday after a series of rocket sirens at the Port of Ashdod. “In the event of a siren, crew members are advised to take shelter.”
Ballistic protection can include a section of the vessel that has armor or protective gear.
Falakshahi tells CNBC vessels are not only shutting off their tracking systems while traveling but also in port as they unload their crude or cargo.
He said data shows that the tanker Valfoglia discharged at the Port of Haifa on October 24 while having its AIS signal off. “This is unusual behavior and delays the information of a discharge,” Falakshahi said.
Israeli authorities have advised the global shipping community that they would be compensated for any war-related damages that occur within the country’s economic waters. War risk surcharges for cargo headed to Israel are now being added by some ocean carriers. So far, no reports of attacks on oil tankers have been reported.
Israel has closed the Port of Ashkelon, the country’s biggest oil-importing port, because of rocket attacks. As a result of the war, activity at the Port of Ashdod has dropped dramatically, but the Port of Haifa which is located further north remains stable.
The Port of Ashdod is a major hub for potash and bromine exports from Israel. Potash is a key component in fertilizer. Bromine is a raw material used in textiles, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, food and beverage making, energy generation, construction, and electronics. ICL Group, a major Israel-based manufacturing company that produces fertilizers, chemicals, and metals for the agriculture, food, and material sectors, provides around a third of global bromine supply.
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Source: CNBC
