By GMM News | 2024-08-07 | Case Security |

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced the seizure of the Pearl G, a Togo-flagged oil tanker, on July 26, 2024.

The tanker was detained near the Arash oil field, a contested area between Kuwait and Iran, when it was allegedly loading illegal fuel from Iranian barges.The tanker was carrying approximately 700,000 barrels of oil and was detained under a judicial order.

The Pearl G, built in 1994 and last operated for South Korean interests in 2023, has since undergone several modifications.

It is currently registered in Togo and managed from Dubai, with ownership attributed to an Iraqi resident of Dubai.

The vessel, measuring 236 feet (72 meters) and crewed by nine Indian nationals, has been rerouted to Imam Khomeini port for further investigation.

The incident marks the second tanker seizure in less than a week by Iranian authorities.

On July 22, 2024, another Togo-flagged vessel, the Betelgeuse, was seized with 1.5 million litres of Marine Gas Oil onboard.

Similar to the Pearl G, the Betelgeuse’s ownership and management details remain unknown.According to reports, the vessel’s crew comprises of several Sri Lankans.

In response to an increase in smuggling activities, Iranian authorities have increased their anti-smuggling operations.

Last year, it was believed that up to 20 million gallons of oil were stolen each day, a situation caused by Iran’s heavily subsidized oil prices and financial collapse.

The Pearl G’s seizure follows a series of recent captures, including a smaller tanker in January and a Portuguese-flagged container ship in April.The fate of the Pearl G and its crew is unknown, as Iran continues to deal with fuel smuggling.

The country’s cheap fuel prices make smuggling activities extremely profitable, prompting these increased enforcement actions.

Reference: The Hindu