The United States has imposed strict sanctions on Gabbaro Ship Services, an Indian company, for its involvement in secretly transporting Iranian oil. The company was part of a larger scheme using the “Ghost Fleet,” a network of ships that move oil from Iran in defiance of international sanctions. The US government accuses Gabbaro Ship Services of managing an oil tanker named Hornet, which was used to secretly carry Iranian oil to other countries.
Gabbaro Ship Services, based in Mumbai, India, is accused of violating US sanctions, which are designed to limit Iran’s ability to sell oil and generate revenue. The sanctions are part of the US’s broader efforts to restrict Iran’s oil exports due to concerns over its nuclear program and other controversial activities. By working with the Ghost Fleet, Gabbaro Ship Services helped Iran bypass these sanctions and continue selling oil on the global market.
What is the “Ghost Fleet”?
The Ghost Fleet is a group of ships that operate in secret to move oil and other goods from countries like Iran that are subject to international sanctions. These ships often take measures to hide their activities, such as turning off their tracking systems or using false documentation. This makes it difficult for authorities to monitor and stop their illegal operations.
In this case, the Ghost Fleet was used to transport oil from Iran, despite US sanctions that prohibit such trade. Gabbaro Ship Services played a key role by acting as the technical manager of the oil tanker Hornet, one of the ships involved in the illegal transport. As the technical manager, Gabbaro Ship Services was responsible for overseeing the ship’s operations and ensuring it could carry out its mission. However, this mission was illegal under US law.
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The US government has targeted Gabbaro Ship Services and other companies involved in the Ghost Fleet as part of a wider effort to enforce sanctions on Iran. These sanctions are meant to prevent Iran from profiting from its oil exports, which could be used to fund activities that the US and its allies oppose.
Sanctions on Gabbaro Ship Services
Gabbaro Ship Services is not only accused of managing the Hornet, but it also reportedly has a financial interest in the tanker. This means the company not only managed the ship but also benefited from its activities. Because of this, the US has imposed sanctions on the company, freezing all of its assets in the United States. This means Gabbaro Ship Services cannot access any money or property it holds in the US.
These sanctions also apply to any individuals or companies that own more than 50% of Gabbaro Ship Services. As a result, key stakeholders in the company will also be affected by the US sanctions. The US government has made it clear that any company or person involved in helping Iran break sanctions will face serious consequences.
In addition to Gabbaro Ship Services, the US has also sanctioned several other companies involved in the same illegal activities. These include Engen Management, a company based in Suriname that was responsible for the commercial management of the Hornet. Two other companies from Suriname as well as one each from China and Malaysia were also sanctioned for their involvement.
The Hornet’s Activities
The Hornet, the oil tanker managed by Gabbaro Ship Services, has been involved in transporting oil from the Gulf region to China. According to marine tracking reports, the Hornet recently traveled from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Oman, then stopped in Singapore, and finally arrived at a port in Guangzhou, China. This route suggests that the tanker has been actively involved in moving Iranian oil to buyers in Asia, helping Iran avoid international sanctions.
The Hornet sails under the Swaziland flag, a strategy often used by ships involved in illegal activities to avoid detection. By using the flag of a country with less strict enforcement, the tanker can operate with more freedom and avoid getting caught by international authorities.
By managing this tanker, Gabbaro Ship Services played a central role in helping Iran export oil illegally. As a result, the US has taken strong action to penalize the company and disrupt the entire Ghost Fleet operation.
