Andromeda-V

The US government has imposed sanctions on numerous entities and vessels involved in the transport of Iranian oil. The US government alleged that the sale of the oil was being used to fund the militant and destabilizing activities of Hezbollah and Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force (IRGC-QF). The 'Confidence P' (IMO: 9178044), 'Nova' (IMO: 9231224), 'Rival' (IMO: 9117818), and 'Tiyara' (IMO: 9231224), have also been placed under sanctions for their association with Abdul Jalil Mallah and his brother Luay al-Mallah, who was a recent addition to the sanctions list, while his brother, Abdul Jalil Mallah, has been described as being established in the illicit shipping business and frequently facilitating the transfer of Iranian oil for the benefit of Hezbollah and IRGD-QF. Both individuals and all their owned property have been sanctioned in the US jurisdiction. The Star Ocean Shipmanage Ltd. has been sanctioned, along with its three vessels: the 'Eternal Success' (IMO: 9307633), 'Eternal 8' (IMO: 9232448), and 'Eternal Peace' (IMO: 9259745), which were claimed to have carried out voyages that violated US sanctions on the IRGC-QF as recently as July 2024. The vessels reportedly have used deceptive practices, such as ship-to-ship transfers and AIS spoofing, to conceal their movements while transporting oil. The 'Serene I' (IMO: 9197832) has been sanctioned for loading and transporting IRGC-QF oil from Iran to China on behalf of Concepto Screen SAL Offshore, a company with alleged ties to Hezbollah. The owner of the tanker, the Dragon Road Ltd., based in the Marshall Islands, was also added to the sanctions list. The 'Feng Tau' (IMO: 9248473) was alleged to have been transporting oil from Iran to mainland China. Both the vessel and its Hong Kong-based owner, Tai Feng Hai Shipping Ltd., have been sanctioned.

The 'Serene 1' suffered an engine failure and was disabled and adrift on Sep 6, 2023, in the Bay of Bengal, about 210 nautical miles east of Sri Lanka. The tanker was en route from Saudi Arabia with unknown destination. Since the ship changed hands to new China-based owners in 2021, the voyage records have been either missing or were incomplete.

Three crew members which were kidnapped from the "Kalamos" on Feb 3 have been released by a criminal gang in Nigeria. Following an examination and depending upon medical advice they will be flown home to be reunited with their families. Further support will be provided to the men and their families when they have returned home. The VLCC was awaiting loading off Bonny with 23 crew on board when it came under attack. The vessel’s chief officer was killed in the incident. The two Greeks and one Pakistani were taken to hospital after their ordeal ended. The company idid not release any details of the operations that led to the release of the hostages, as it might encourage further attacks.