Key information
- Ship-to-ship transfers have moved from the Laconic Gulf off Greece to new locations.
- An estimated one million barrels of petroleum products were transferred each month near the islands of Lesbos and Chios in the Aegean Sea.
- Ship-to-ship transfers involving Russian oil and fuel have increased near the Italian port of Augusta since May.
Ship-to-ship transfers (STS), a practice used to disguise the origin of Russian crude oil and circumvent Western sanctions, have moved to new locations off the coast of Greece. The move follows naval exercises conducted by the Greek Navy in the Laconic Gulf, which was previously an important hub for STS operations.
According to Vortexa data, before these exercises, approximately 1 million barrels of diesel, fuel oil and other petroleum products were transferred each month between tankers near the islands of Lesbos and Chios in the Aegean Sea. The status of the Laconic Gulf as a primary site for STS activities has declined significantly since Greece began its naval exercises. Although some operations continue in a narrow strip of unaffected water in the Gulf, their frequency has been significantly reduced.
Movements in ship-to-ship transfers
Simultaneously, an increase in ship-to-ship transfers involving Russian oil and fuel near the Italian port of Augusta has been observed since May, coinciding with the start of Greek naval exercises. These actions, which extend until mid-March, aim to reduce STS operations in Greek waters.
Despite these efforts to reduce STS activity, concerns remain about its impact on the environment, due to potential safety and insurance issues related to the vessels involved. Furthermore, the continued increase in ship-to-ship transfers demonstrates a growing disregard for Western sanctions.
Global implications
The global landscape of STS operations is marked by a significant increase off the coast of Malaysia, where millions of barrels of Iranian oil are transferred daily to ships bound for China, violating multiple Western sanctions and supporting the economy Chinese.
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