Why energy tankers are using risky dark fleet ploy to cross Hormuz, Pg9

Key Highlights:

• A significant surge in "dark transits" by energy tankers through the Strait of Hormuz has been observed, with 57% of all transits between March and late May involving vessels switching off their Automatic Identification System (AIS).
• This practice, traditionally limited to "shadow fleets" transporting sanctioned oil, is now increasingly adopted by mainstream energy tankers due to heightened US-Iran tensions.
• The share of dark outbound laden transits by non-Iranian operators rose from 37% in March to 67% in May.
• UAE-linked vessels account for the largest share of dark transits at around 27%, followed by Iraq (11%) and Qatar (10%).
• India-bound ships are also engaging in dark transits, impacting a country heavily reliant on the Strait for over 40% of its oil and 60% of its LNG imports.

Detailed Insights:

• Dark shipping involves vessels switching off their AIS transponders to avoid detection, making them invisible to authorities and other ships.
• This tactic, previously used by shadow fleets for sanctioned Iranian and Russian oil, is now becoming a necessity for energy tankers navigating the Strait of Hormuz.
• The International Maritime Organization (IMO) guidelines mandate AIS operation unless safety or security is threatened, making dark transits a deviation from standard protocol.
• Switching off AIS significantly increases the risk of collisions at sea, especially in congested waterways like the Strait of Hormuz, creating a low-visibility operating environment.
• Energy cargoes involved in dark transits include crude oil and condensates (40%), clean products (25%), dirty products (18%), and LPG (14%), with LNG tankers also appearing since April.
• The adoption of dark transits by national energy companies from countries like the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia indicates an accepted protocol under current geopolitical pressures.
• The trend reflects commercial operators adapting to military pressure, degraded transparency, and enforcement risks in the critical chokepoint.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Dark Shipping: The practice of vessels intentionally switching off their Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders to avoid detection.
• Strait of Hormuz: A narrow, strategically vital waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea, crucial for global oil and gas shipments.
• Automatic Identification System (AIS): A maritime navigation safety communication system that automatically exchanges static and dynamic information between vessels and shore stations.