04/14/12

Permalink Stealth mode: ENGAGE. Iran shuts off oil tankers’ trackers to cloak supply routes

Most of Iran's tanker fleet is now operating in "off-radar" mode. Tehran has ordered the captains of its 39-strong oil fleet to turn off the tracking devices aboard the tankers in order to disguise the destination of its oil shipments. - Only seven of Iran’s crude oil carriers are still visible via the AIS (Automatic Identification System) tracking system, Reuters reported on Friday. Neither the captains from the National Iranian Tanker Co nor the purchasers of Iranian crude have given any official comments on the situation. The report further says that according to some industry experts Iran’s tanker fleet was storing over 10 million barrels of crude oil by the time it vanished from radar screens. A European shipping industry expert suggested that some big Asian company or companies might have decided to purchase Iranian oil on the condition of secrecy to avoid being hit by Western sanctions. International law demands that all ships must be equipped with several kinds of tracking systems, including by satellite. However, the ship’s captain have the authority to turn off these systems due to safety reasons or upon the order from the ship’s owner. During the "liberation" of Libya, some tankers allegedly turned off the AIS in order to keep doing business with Libya amid the crisis.

Permalink

Health topic page on womens health Womens health our team of physicians Womens health breast cancer lumps heart disease Womens health information covers breast Cancer heart pregnancy womens cosmetic concerns Sexual health and mature women related conditions Facts on womens health female anatomy Womens general health and wellness The female reproductive system female hormones Diseases more common in women The mature woman post menopause Womens health dedicated to the best healthcare
buy viagra online