VLCC stranded in Indonesia blacklisted by US for violating sanctions

Foreign media reports: At about 2020 hours on October 26, the fully loaded Young Yong made an emergency landing in the Singapore Strait at Takong Kecil in the Riau Islands, Indonesia.

On Nov. 3, the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated the vessel and its owner, Technology Bright, as part of an international oil smuggling network for Hezbollah and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force (IRGC-QF) Facilitate oil trade and generate income.

Brian E. Nelson, Treasury Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, said, “The individuals who run this illicit network use fraudulent tactics, including a network of shell companies and forged documents, to conceal the origin of Iranian oil and create international Selling oil on the market, evading sanctions."

The company said the VLCC was part of a network of companies and shipping services overseen by Viktor Artemov that received, concealed and sold the oil.

Bright Technology, a company registered in the Marshall Islands, owns a single ship named "Yongyong".

"The captain of the tanker Yong Yong falsified the ship's location data and updated Atmov and other AVA employees on the ship's status and loading of approximately 1.8 million barrels of oil.

"Technology Bright is designated pursuant to Executive Order 13224, as amended, for providing material assistance, sponsorship, or financial, material, or technical support to, or provision of goods or services to, Artemov. Frozen property, and Bright Technology is interested in it.”

The move comes amid growing concerns that black ships, or shadow fleets, trading in violation of sanctions, could pose a threat to the security of the tanker industry.