29-07-2025
Iraq detects oil tankers trying to hide their locations
Baghdad ( – The State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO) discovered multiple oil tankers suspected of loading petroleum products illegally from Umm Qasr and Khor al-Zubair ports in southern Iraq.
The oil tankers reportedly employed modern methods, including an automated identification system used to hide their positions or change their movements, according to an official document viewed by Reuters.
SOMO stated that the vessels were not included in its official loading schedules, raising suspicions about illegal movements.
A letter sent by SOMO to Iraq's National Security Agency indicated that such operations are designated as high-risk and are suspected of including unlawful acts such as interfering with tracking systems or making unlawful shipments.
An appendix to the letter identified 11 vessels suspected of involvement: Flora Dolce, Mackerel, Chandrama, Padmanabh, Pontus, Ocean Guardian, Al Safa, Hulda, Ultostratos, Invictus, and Lanikai.
Two Oil Ministry officials and one SOMO official confirmed the letter's validity.
The incident comes amid increased monitoring of illegal oil shipments in the region.
Earlier, the US Treasury placed further sanctions on businesses involved in Iran's oil trade, including corporations suspected of assisting Tehran in moving sanctioned material using deceptive shipping tactics such as ship-to-ship transfers and fraudulent documents.
