AsiaEuropeMiddle EastTankers

Royal Marines storm Syria-bound VLCC

Photo of Sam Chambers Sam ChambersJuly 4, 2019
19 Less than a minute

At 2am this morning British military forces in Gibraltar took control of a VLCC bound for Syria, suspected of breaching EU sanctions.

A detachment of Royal Marines boarded the 22-year-old Grace 1, which Equasis lists as owned by Singapore-based Grace Tankers. The ship was destined for the Banias refinery in Syria and is believed to be carrying around 2m barrels or Iranian crude.

Sanctions have been in place against Syria since 2011.

 

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Photo of Sam Chambers Sam ChambersJuly 4, 2019
19 Less than a minute
Photo of Sam Chambers

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.
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