India seizes three tankers in first action against dark fleet

India’s Coast Guard has seized three tankers near the waters off Mumbai in a coordinated crackdown on a global oil‑smuggling network involving so‑called dark fleet vessels.

This is the first such action by New Delhi, targeting ships known for frequently changing identity and evading detection as part of efforts to curb illicit oil trade.

The Coast Guard posted on X that it had “busted an international oil‑smuggling racket” by intercepting the vessels, which had suspicious documentation and were believed to be moving sanctioned oil.

The tankers have been identified as the Chiltern, Asphalt Star, and Stellar Ruby, previously under U.S. sanctions for links to Iranian oil trade.

They are being escorted to Mumbai for further investigation. Such dark fleet tankers often have substandard documentation, improper flags, and poor maintenance, posing risks to maritime safety.

This operation comes amid international pressure from the U.S. and Europe on India to enforce sanctions, particularly on Russian and Iranian oil.

India has affirmed it won’t allow sanctioned tankers to discharge at its ports, as part of broader efforts to uphold maritime security and regulate illicit fuel movements.