The Sevin: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

**Title: US Blockade and Sanctions Lead to Tanker Interception in Arabian Sea** In a significant maritime development, the tankers 'Sevin' and 'Dorena' (IMO: 9569669) were intercepted in the Arabian Sea after they attempted to navigate past the April 13 deadline set by the US blockade. US Navy destroyers were deployed to escort these vessels and prevent any unauthorized discharge of their sanctioned cargo. Meanwhile, the tanker 'Derya' (IMO: 9569700) has found itself anchored off the coast of Sika, unable to proceed. Notably, unlike its counterparts, 'Derya' has not been subject to military seizure. The predicament arises from the fact that the oil it carries was loaded after the US waiver deadline of March 20, resulting in Indian refineries officially declining to accept the cargo in order to evade potential secondary sanctions.

The Greek bunker supplier Sekavin S.A. (Sekavin) has refused to refuel the "Baikal" due to a European Union (EU) embargo imposed on Iran over its nuclear programme. The tanker which is owned by National Iranian Tanker Co. (NITC), was flying the Tanzanian flag when it tried load bunkers at the Greek island of Syros. An initial investigation in order not to break the law was conducted and decided not to provide the ship with any fuel because it would be against the rules as it represents Iranian interests. Officials from Sekavin refused after they, along with customs officers, checked the documents accompanying the shipment of 146,000 tons of crude oil. The documents did not detail who would be the recipient of the fuel. In the night of Nov 29 vessels of the Greek Coastguard started searching for the Iranian tanker that disappeared after being refused its request to refuel off Syros. At 8 p.m. on Nov 27, the "Baikal" set sail from Syros and 17 minutes later, when it was heading toward Myconos, the AIS was switched off. Customs officials on Syros notified the Financial Crimes Squad (SDOE), which does not have a vessel that can be used to track down suspects. As a result, the Coastguard was called. Authorities suspected that the "Baikal" was delivering the oil to a customer in Greece or the Balkans in contravention of an EU embargo.

The Greek fuel supplier Sekavin SA was investigating the origin of a cargo aboard the "Baikal" off Syros amid a European Union ban on purchases from the Iran. The "Baikal" arrived off the island on Nov 26, 2012. The cargo of ship fuel hasn’t been unloaded. NITC, a Tehran-based tanker operator, controls the ship. The "Baikal" arrived in Greece having been off the coast of Morocco as recently as Nov. 11