IRAN is proposing amendments to a draft resolution on 'dark shipping' at the UN's International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Assembly, reports Singapore's Splash 247.
iran says the terms 'going dark' and 'dark fleet' should be used with caution, as there may be legitimate reasons for automatic identification systems (AIS) being turned off to avoid use by pirates.
'The terms 'dark fleet' and 'shadow fleet' have both been used widely in industry and media are taken to mean one and the same,' says an Iranian position paper.
Several concerns have been raised at the IMO about an increase in ship-to-ship oil transfers at sea, particularly instances of ships engaging in so-called dark operations to conceal their whereabouts.
The issue was discussed before the IMO's Legal Committee in March, then again at the Marine Environment Protection Committee's (MEPC 80) 80th session in July.
The risks highlighted included that such practices may be used to avoid sanctions and high insurance costs.
Also, if there is a spill, there would be no pollution prevention and parties might evade liability under relevant liability and compensation regimes.
A fleet of between 300 and 600 tankers, mostly older ships, of unclear ownership and lacking insurance, is considered a 'dark fleet' or 'shadow fleet'.
Shipping organisations say while there should be no covert ship-to-ship operations, distinctions between legitimate and illegitimate ship-to-ship operations must be made.
SeaNews Turkey
iran says the terms 'going dark' and 'dark fleet' should be used with caution, as there may be legitimate reasons for automatic identification systems (AIS) being turned off to avoid use by pirates.
'The terms 'dark fleet' and 'shadow fleet' have both been used widely in industry and media are taken to mean one and the same,' says an Iranian position paper.
Several concerns have been raised at the IMO about an increase in ship-to-ship oil transfers at sea, particularly instances of ships engaging in so-called dark operations to conceal their whereabouts.
The issue was discussed before the IMO's Legal Committee in March, then again at the Marine Environment Protection Committee's (MEPC 80) 80th session in July.
The risks highlighted included that such practices may be used to avoid sanctions and high insurance costs.
Also, if there is a spill, there would be no pollution prevention and parties might evade liability under relevant liability and compensation regimes.
A fleet of between 300 and 600 tankers, mostly older ships, of unclear ownership and lacking insurance, is considered a 'dark fleet' or 'shadow fleet'.
Shipping organisations say while there should be no covert ship-to-ship operations, distinctions between legitimate and illegitimate ship-to-ship operations must be made.
SeaNews Turkey