The U.S. Coast Guard has intercepted a vessel carrying fuel to Cuba after an international enforcement operation found large quantities of fuel concealed inside the ship’s ballast tanks.
The Coast Guard said Friday that a tactical law enforcement team boarded the M/V Grace in the Caribbean Sea in early September as the vessel was sailing toward Cuba.
According to the Coast Guard, the vessel was suspected of using tactics associated with the so-called “dark fleet,” a term generally applied to ships using deceptive practices to obscure their ownership, movements or cargoes.
The interdiction is part of what is increasingly resembling a de facto U.S. maritime fuel blockade of Cuba.
Following the boarding, the Coast Guard escorted Grace to Progreso, Mexico, where a Mexican Navy inspection team found large quantities of fuel stored in the vessel’s ballast tanks. Several containers aboard the ship were also believed to contain illicit fuel, the Coast Guard said.
The agency did not disclose the amount or type of fuel found aboard the vessel, nor did it provide details on the ship’s ownership, flag or intended recipient in Cuba.
The Coast Guard said carrying fuel inside ballast tanks created an additional environmental risk because the tanks are not intended for transporting petroleum cargo.
“Illicit fuel shipments violate international law and pose severe environmental threats in the Caribbean Sea,” said Vice Adm. Nate Moore, the Coast Guard’s deputy commandant for operations.
The operation involved the cutters Alert and Charles Sexton, an HC-144 surveillance aircraft, Tactical Law Enforcement Team South and Coast Guard Southeast District personnel.
Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Kevin Lunday said the service would continue targeting vessels using deceptive shipping practices.
“The high seas are not a sanctuary for lawlessness,” Lunday said. “Dark fleet actors who employ deceptive tactics to engage in illicit activities will not evade justice.”
The interdiction follows the earlier boarding and detention of the M/V Jaira Provider, which the Coast Guard said was also carrying illicit fuel to Cuba.
The Coast Guard said the operations are part of a broader effort with U.S. agencies and international partners to target illicit maritime activity involving dark fleet vessels, stateless ships and vessels that fail to meet international standards.
The service said the operations are being conducted consistent with customary international law and in cooperation with flag and port state authorities.
The U.S. Coast Guard has intercepted a vessel carrying fuel to Cuba after an international enforcement operation found large quantities of fuel concealed inside the ship’s ballast tankAccording to the Coast Guard, the vessel was suspected of using tactics associated with the so-called “dark fleet,” a term generally applied to ships using deceptive practices to obscure their ownership, movements or cargoes.Following the boarding, the Coast Guard escorted Grace to Progreso, Mexico, where a Mexican Navy inspection team found large quantities of fuel stored in the vessel’s ballast tanks. Several containers aboard the ship were also believed to contain illicit fuel, the Coast Guard said.The agency did not disclose the amount or type of fuel found aboard the vessel, nor did it provide details on the ship’s ownership, flag or intended recipient in Cuba.The Coast Guard said carrying fuel inside ballast tanks created an additional environmental risk because the tanks are not intended for transporting petroleum cargo.“Illicit fuel shipments violate international law and pose severe environmental threats in the Caribbean Sea,” said Vice Adm. Nate Moore, the Coast Guard’s deputy commandant for operations.The operation involved the cutters Alert and Charles Sexton, an HC-144 surveillance aircraft, Tactical Law Enforcement Team South and Coast Guard Southeast District personnel.Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Kevin Lunday said the service would continue targeting vessels using deceptive shipping practices.“The high seas are not a sanctuary for lawlessness,” Lunday said. “Dark fleet actors who employ deceptive tactics to engage in illicit activities will not evade justice.”The interdiction follows the earlier boarding and detention of the M/V Jaira Provider, which the Coast Guard said was also carrying illicit fuel to Cuba.The Coast Guard said the operations are part of a broader effort with U.S. agencies and international partners to target illicit maritime activity involving dark fleet vessels, stateless ships and vessels that fail to meet international standards.
The service said the operations are being conducted consistent with customary international law and in cooperation with flag and port state authorities.
Join The Club
