Venezuela Utilizes ‘Ghost Ships’ to Bypass Oil Sanctions
Venezuela continues to navigate oil sanctions through innovative maritime strategies. Among the most notable tactics is the use of ‘ghost ships,’ vessels that change identities to bypass detection.
Understanding ‘Ghost Ships’ and Their Tactics
These vessels often operate under false pretenses. They may utilize registration numbers from decommissioned ships, effectively becoming what are termed “zombie ships.” This method mirrors identity theft, where a scrapped vessel’s identity is used to give a new ship legitimacy.
Case Example: The Varada
Last April, the ‘Varada’ arrived in Malaysian waters after departing Venezuela. This vessel, which is 32 years old, raised suspicions due to its flag: the Comoros. The Comoros is favored by many ships attempting to evade regulatory scrutiny.
- True Identity: The original Varada had already been scrapped in Bangladesh in 2017.
- Investigation: Bloomberg’s report highlighted four zombie ships transporting Venezuelan crude.
Methods of Concealment
To further mask the origin of their cargo, ships often transfer crude oil in international waters. This involves switching to tankers with compliant flags, allowing them to present the oil as originating from non-sanctioned countries.
This tactic was notably used during Donald Trump’s presidency when Venezuelan oil exports to China surged, despite sanctions tightening.
Disabling Identification Systems
Another common practice involves disabling the Automatic Identification System (AIS), which tracks vessel data. By altering this system, ships can obscure their identity and location.
- Example: Maritime risk firm Vanguard Tech noted that a vessel named ‘The Skipper’ was suspected of manipulating its position for extensive periods.
These methods underscore the lengths to which Venezuela will go to circumvent oil sanctions. By utilizing ghost ships, the nation continues to transport crude oil despite international restrictions.
