As the list of sanctioned oil tankers grows due to the increasing use of ghost fleet tankers by Iran, Russia, and Venezuela for covert oil exports, Greece has warned about the environmental risks posed by these vessels. On Tuesday, June 5, the Greek Minister of Shipping announced that tankers that are not properly registered and engage in covert oil transfers by methods such as turning off tracking signals are an increasing environmental threat to the Mediterranean Sea. Christos Stylianides further stated that Greece will take additional measures to protect its coasts. According to Reuters, assessments indicate that there are currently about 850 tankers in the so-called 'ghost fleet' involved in the covert transfer of oil from Russia, Venezuela, and China; these tankers are neither registered, insured by Western companies, nor receive maritime services from international firms. Mr. Stylianides also noted that the ghost fleet has caused at least 50 incidents so far, including fires, engine failures, collisions, loss of ship control, and oil spills. He stated, 'We cannot accept this situation so close to our shores.' Based on estimates from tanker tracking companies, around 380 to 420 tankers have been involved in covertly transporting Iranian oil. These figures indicate that nearly half of the ghost fleet has been engaged in circumventing U.S. sanctions against the Islamic Republic. Iran exports 1.5 million barrels of oil daily, with less than 5% reaching Syrian ports via the Mediterranean, while the rest is sold to China through intermediaries. Greece is primarily dealing with the ghost fleet issue related to Russian oil. The Athens government implemented stricter measures last month to enforce a ban on transferring oil from one ship to another along its coasts. Russia transports its oil to the Mediterranean via the Black Sea and transfers it to other tankers in the Mediterranean to conceal its source. Iran also engages in similar actions, mainly in Malaysian waters.
Greece Warns About Environmental Dangers of Sanctioned Oil Tankers
Greece has raised alarms about the environmental risks posed by unregistered oil tankers, known as the 'ghost fleet,' which are used by Iran, Russia, and Venezuela for covert oil exports. The Greek Minister of Shipping announced plans for stricter coastal protections amid concerns over the increasing number of incidents involving these vessels. This situation highlights the ongoing challenges of circumventing U.S. sanctions and the environmental implications for the Mediterranean region.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Greece has issued a warning about the environmental dangers posed by unregistered oil tankers, known as the 'ghost fleet,' used by Iran, Russia, and Venezuela for covert oil exports. The Greek government plans to implement stricter measures to protect its coasts from these vessels.
- There are approximately 850 tankers in the ghost fleet.
- The ghost fleet has caused at least 50 incidents, including oil spills and collisions.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Ghost fleet tankers are used by countries under international sanctions to covertly export oil, bypassing traditional tracking and regulatory systems.
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