RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 2 sourcesGlobal Marketing Systems, a ship recycling firm based in Dubai, acquired the two vessels last month for an undisclosed sum
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Two sanctioned oil tankers confiscated following a U.S. military operation in Venezuela have been sold to be broken up for scrap, according to a report by Lloyd’s List on Monday.
Global Marketing Systems, a ship recycling firm based in Dubai , acquired the two vessels last month for an undisclosed sum.
The transaction included the Era, which previously operated under the names Marinera and Bella 1, as well as the Lileo, formerly known as Galileo and Veronica. Both ships will be demolished in Indian scrap yards.
"The U.S. government has sold them to us and there was a court order authorizing the sales, but there are complexities, not least the fact that we weren’t really sure who previously owned them," GMS CEO Anil Sharma told Lloyd’s List.
GMS did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
U.S. Coast Guard and military special forces intercepted the Russian-flagged Era in January in waters south of Iceland, ending a multi-week pursuit across the Atlantic.
The tanker had earlier bypassed a U.S. blockade in the Caribbean aimed at stopping crude exports from Venezuela. Washington said at the time the vessel transported sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran.
The U.S. also impounded the Russian-flagged Lileo in the Caribbean Sea in January under sanctions targeting Moscow.
As many as 10 oil tankers were seized by the U.S. following its military action in Venezuela. Sanctioned ships frequently change names to avoid detection.
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