Shadow LPG carrier fleet swells as Iran crackdown looms

"AN EXPANDING fleet of ageing gas carriers engaging in unsafe and deceptive behaviour is racking up an alarming number of port state control detentions as it delivers record amounts of sanctioned Iranian gas. Lloyd’s List’s analysis of vessel-movement data, cargo and satellite data has tracked more than 100 liquified petroleum gas carriers totalling over 5.1m in carrying capacity suspected of carrying billions of dollars’ worth of Iranian LPG… “Unlike crude, which often undergoes multiple, complex transfers to obscure its origin, Iranian LPG typically moves through one STS transfer in the Middle East Gulf before reaching its final destination, primarily China,” said Claire Jungman, chief of staff at US advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran. However, this efficiency makes them “an attractive target for enforcement efforts”, Jungman said."