The mystery of a dark fleet tanker masquerading as a VLCC scrapped three years ago may have been solved.
AIS data shows that a ship purporting to be the 336,300-dwt EM Longevity (built 2000) has reappeared in China with a crude cargo. However, the EM Longevity was demolished in Bangladesh in 2021.
TradeWinds understands the ship is actually the 306,300-dwt Stellar Oracle (built 2001).
It seems to be using the name and IMO ship identification number of the defunct EM Longevity, potentially to disguise a journey from Iran.
Data analysed by Bloomberg showed that the tanker sailed past Iran before appearing in China loaded with a crude cargo.
The Stellar Oracle was formerly the Saint Light, Young Yong and Maran Castor.
It was sold for $22m by Greece’s Angelicoussis Group to the last known operator, East Wind Ship Management of Hong Kong, in 2021.
UK shipbroker Clarksons said it has been under unknown control since August 2023, when it was renamed the Stellar Oracle. The tanker is listed as idle by Clarksons.
AIS shows Guyana as the flag, but this is listed as “false” by the Equasis website.
The South Korean-built tanker is listed by Clarksons as insured by Russia’s Ingosstrakh, which told TradeWinds it does not insure the vessel.
No AIS update for 50 days
The last AIS update is from 50 days ago when the Stellar Oracle was at anchor in the Bay of Bengal off Bangladesh.
TradeWinds reported in 2022 that the laden tanker went aground as the Young Yong off Indonesia near a Singapore gas pipeline.
The Indonesian transport ministry’s Sea and Coast Guard said the ship got stuck near Takong Kecil Island off Batam City.
No casualties or environmental damage were reported in the incident. There has been no word on a cause.
The tanker was detained in China in December 2021 with 13 deficiencies.
Grounds for the detention included faults with lifeboats and personal equipment for fire safety. This was its last recorded inspection.
Time off Kharg Island
The use of defunct vessels’ identities is a way for dark fleet operators to beat sanctions and manipulate the AIS system.
AIS data shows the EM Longevity as flagged in Eswatini. The African country has said hundreds of ships use its flag without permission.
The tanker started to sail past the Strait of Hormuz into waters near Iran on 11 August, with a half-load, data shows.
Over the next five days, it stayed off the Kharg Island oil terminal in Iran, then began to head east.
AIS now shows the EM Longevity moored in Yantian, China, after arriving on 29 September.
It left Dalian on 25 September.
