The Levante: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

In a dramatic enforcement action, the Libyan Coast Guard apprehended the tanker 'Levante' on August 28, 2017, near the port of Zawia, Libya. The vessel was discovered carrying approximately 6,000 tons of oil, which authorities suspect was illicitly sourced from Libyan territories. The operation involved the interrogation of the ship’s 20-member crew, predominantly composed of Filipino nationals. Interestingly, the 'Levante' displayed a concerning four-day gap in its Automatic Identification System (AIS) signals, with the last reported data registered on August 27, and no signals emitted from August 23 to August 27. Following the seizure, the tanker was escorted to either Zawia or Tripoli for further investigative procedures.

In a strategic move within the maritime industry, the vessels EMA QUERIDA, ROYAL FLOS, ROYAL NATURA, and STRILEN have been sold en bloc for an impressive sum of $13.1 million each. This bank-driven sale marks a significant transaction, with the Greek company Evalend Shipping stepping in to acquire these four notable assets. The deal underscores ongoing trends in shipping investments and highlights the interest from Greek buyers in fleet expansion.