In a significant move signalling a tougher stance against illicit maritime trade, the Indian Coast Guard has seized three tankers allegedly involved in international oil smuggling operations off the coast of Mumbai.
The vessels were intercepted on Friday in waters near Mumbai. In a post on X, the Coast Guard said it had “busted an international oil-smuggling racket” and noted that the ships had a history of “frequently changing identity,” a common tactic associated with the so-called shadow or dark fleet.
According to shipping industry sources, this marks the first time New Delhi has taken such direct enforcement action against tankers linked to the shadow fleet — a network of approximately 1,500 vessels globally that transport sanctioned oil from countries such as Iran, Russia, and Venezuela.
Vessels Identified
While the Coast Guard did not officially disclose the names of the tankers, images shared in its post matched those of the Chiltern, Asphalt Star, and Stellar Ruby, based on data from ship-tracking platform MarineTraffic. TankerTracker.com further confirmed the identification using the vessels’ unique seven-digit IMO numbers.
All three tankers were sanctioned by the United States last year for alleged links to the Iranian oil trade.
According to international maritime database Equasis:
Chiltern is sailing under a false Guyana flag.
Asphalt Star is operating under a false Aruba flag.
Stellar Ruby is flagged to Iran.
The vessels’ sizes indicate they are designed to carry refined fuel products rather than crude oil.
Heightened Enforcement Amid Global Pressure
The action comes amid increasing global scrutiny of the dark fleet, as the United States and European nations intensify efforts to clamp down on ships transporting sanctioned oil. Many of these vessels are reported to operate with substandard documentation, fake or improper flag registrations, and inadequate maintenance — raising concerns over maritime safety and environmental risks.
The seizures also coincide with mounting pressure from Washington on New Delhi to curb imports of Russian crude as part of broader trade negotiations aimed at reducing tariffs. India had earlier stated that it would not allow sanctioned tankers to discharge cargo at its ports.
Investigation Underway
A Coast Guard spokesperson confirmed on Monday that the three vessels are being escorted to Mumbai for further investigation.
Attempts to contact the registered owners and managers of the ships, as listed on Equasis, were unsuccessful. Emails seeking comment went unanswered, and phone calls were either not answered or directed to voicemail.
The development places India among the countries taking visible enforcement action against the shadow fleet, reinforcing maritime compliance and signalling greater vigilance in regional waters.
