A tanker long-associated with a “shadow fleet” was briefly detained by a national navy, but has since resumed its voyage toward the Suez Canal, according to Marine Insight.
Suspicious tanker’s journey to Suez unfolds
The vessel was boarded, and its master along with the first officer were taken in for questioning concerning the tanker’s alleged connections to recent drone flights over a European country.
Authorities had cited inconsistencies in the vessel’s formal registration documents while it was transporting oil from one country to another. The vessel’s navigator and chief officer were later released, and the vessel was cleared to continue.
The tanker has been linked — in public sources — to drone operations over restricted sites in Europe, which several states attribute to the originating nation; the latter denies any involvement.
The incident heightened diplomatic tension, with the government of the shipping vessel’s flag state condemning the boarding as an act of “piracy,” and pledging to take reciprocal measures. Meanwhile, the detaining government called on regional allies to increase efforts to curb the operations of such fleets.
Officials stated that these aging vessels pose environmental risks and may be used for clandestine missions beyond standard maritime transport.
According to tracking data, the tanker departed from a northern port near the origin country in late September, bound for a destination in South Asia in mid‑October.
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Source: Marine Insight
