Gabon de-flags more Iran-linked tankers

…The US-based non-government organisation, United Against Nuclear Iran, wrote to Gabon’s transport minister on September 14, saying that the vessel Ark Rescue had made numerous loads of Iranian crude from Kharg Island via ship-to-ship transfers from NITC vessels. The vessel’s Automatic Identification System was switched off, while it sailed in the direction of Basrah, Iraq, later diverting without the AIS to give the impression of an Iraqi call. An earlier letter about the practices went unanswered. Satellite imagery from Planet Labs showed the vessel Balder loading near Kharg Island on August 22, UANI showed in the letter. Balder had also called at Bandar Mahshahr on August 9, from where crude and condensates are shipped.