AsiaOperationsTankers

Delicate operation to remove grounded VLCC off Batam could take up to a month

Indonesia reckons it will take up to a month to free a grounded laden VLCC in the Singapore Strait.

The Djibouti-registered Young Yong ran aground off the Riau Islands on October 26, very near to a gas pipeline linking to Singapore. The ship was recently sanctioned by the US for its alleged links to Iran.

Shipping database Equasis lists the 2001-built ship as owned by Technology Bright Intl, and operated by East Wind Ship Management in Hong Kong.

The growing use of the so-called dark tanker fleet is resulting in accidents with the Young Yong one of two sanctioned tanker incidents recorded in the space of a week.

With Russia joining Iran and Venezuela in seeking vintage tonnage to shift cargoes as sanctions rain in, and major class societies, managers, and insurers shunning former clients in Moscow, there is a growing risk of substandard tonnage running into trouble.

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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