Condition of Shadow Fleet Tankers
More than half of the tankers in the shadow fleet are in critical technical condition due to corrosion, increasing the risk of a large-scale oil spill. According to data from Clarksons, the shadow fleet consists of approximately 1,800 vessels, of which about 1,500 are oil or product tankers. Most of these ships are over 20 years old, highlighting their vulnerability to technical issues. At least one-third of sanctioned vessels require urgent scrapping, as their condition could lead to serious environmental disasters.
Sanctions and Their Consequences
Sanctions imposed on vessels block the possibility of their disposal. It is known that over 50 ships were sanctioned by the United States last year due to ties with Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani. In response, GMS received its first license from OFAC to recycle four vessels, a process that took seven months to secure approval. As GMS head Anil Sharma noted,
“there is only one option for these ships – recycling”.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz further amplifies the risks associated with these tankers. Alexander Saveri, an expert in the shipbuilding industry, highlighted this issue, stating that
“this is a ticking time bomb, and I think everyone in the shipbuilding industry understands that”. He added: “It’s just an accident waiting to happen. And the real surprise is that no serious disaster has occurred yet.”
Maritime history recalls the 1979 disaster when the collision of the SS Atlantic Empress and Aegean Captain resulted in a spill of over two million barrels of oil. Increased attention to the condition of the shadow fleet and the need for measures to scrap old vessels are becoming more urgent in light of these dangers.
This situation points to serious environmental risks that could arise from the poor technical state of shadow fleet tankers. In the event of an accident, the scale of the consequences could be catastrophic not only for the marine environment but also for the economies of countries that depend on the cleanliness of their waters. Authorities and international organizations must urgently work on resolving the issue of scrapping old vessels to prevent potential tragedies in the future.