---
title: "Dark Fleet Threat Poses Major Maritime Risk Says Leading Tanker CEO"
publisher: "Stockmark.IT"
author: "Stockmark.IT Website"
published: "2025-01-06T05:57:06+00:00"
modified: "2025-01-06T05:57:06+00:00"
date: 2025-01-06
canonical: "https://stockmark.it/dark-fleet-threat-poses-major-maritime-risk-says-leading-tanker-ceo/"
category: "Oil Exploration"
categories: ["Oil Exploration", "Shipping"]
image: "https://i0.wp.com/stockmark.it/wp-content/uploads/stencil.default-13-3.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1"
format: "news"
language: "en-GB"
---

# Dark Fleet Threat Poses Major Maritime Risk Says Leading Tanker CEO

**Published:** January 6, 2025
**Author:** Stockmark.IT Website
**Categories:** Oil Exploration, Shipping
**Featured image:** ![Large tanker ship sailing on ocean near forested hills. Maritime risk. from Stockmark.it](https://i0.wp.com/stockmark.it/wp-content/uploads/stencil.default-13-3.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&quality=89&ssl=1)

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The chief executive of Frontline, the world’s largest publicly listed oil tanker operator, has delivered a stark warning about the growing threat posed by unregulated ‘dark fleet’ vessels, suggesting a significant maritime disaster is imminent.

Lars Barstad criticised the UN’s International Maritime Organisation (IMO) for “sleeping behind the wheel” regarding the proliferation of these vessels, which now constitute approximately 20% of the global fleet. His concerns stem from Russian-linked organisations purchasing ageing ships to bypass Western trade restrictions.

The dangers became evident in July when the Hafnia Nile, operated by Singapore-based Hafnia, collided with the Ceres I, a dark fleet vessel carrying Iranian oil near Malaysian waters. US Treasury documents later revealed the Ceres I was broadcasting false location data, a common practice among shadow fleet operators attempting to conceal their activities.

These dark fleet vessels, typically carrying oil from sanctioned nations including Iran, Venezuela, and Russia, often operate under questionable ownership structures and lack proper insurance coverage. They frequently register under flags of convenience in nations with lax safety inspection protocols.

Barstad expressed particular concern about the financial incentives driving this behaviour, noting that “lawbreaking operators” were generating “insane amounts of money.” He emphasised that these vessels operate outside the IMO framework, creating unfair competition for compliant operators like Frontline.

European governments have also faced criticism for their apparent reluctance to enforce sanctions, with suggestions that countries controlling key maritime chokepoints could take stronger action against non-compliant vessels. The underlying fear appears to be that stricter enforcement might trigger increased energy prices.

The IMO has responded by highlighting a late 2023 resolution calling for enhanced member state action against fraudulent vessel registration and increased port inspections. However, industry observers suggest these measures may be insufficient to address the growing scale of the dark fleet phenomenon.

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**Original URL:** https://stockmark.it/dark-fleet-threat-poses-major-maritime-risk-says-leading-tanker-ceo/
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