The Panama Maritime Authority (PMA) has said the VLCC seized in Gibraltar over a suspected sanctions breach is no longer flagged in the country.
The 301,000-dwt Grace 1 (built 1997) was boarded by marines on Thursday because authorities believed it was headed to Syria, possibly with Iranian crude.
International alert
The PMA said the tanker does not belong to “the International Vessel Registry of Panama, since it was cancelled on May 29th, 2019."
It had been told on 24 May by the Executive Secretariat of the National Security Council of the Ministry of the Presidency that there was an international alert regarding the vessel.
The warning indicated the vessel “might be participating or being linked to the financing of terrorism, or in support of the destabilising activities of certain regions led by terrorist groups."
It added: “The PMA strongly condemns any illicit and criminal activity that threatens human life, thus reiterating our commitment to and for international agreements by executing the necessary measures against those who are considered a threat to the regional stability, peace and international security, as well as the Panamanian Merchant Marine’s prestige.”
