One of the world’s keenest observers of the movements of the shadow fleet has thrown open much of its research.
TankerTrackers.com, founded by Samir Madani eight years ago, uses daily satellite imagery, shoreside photography, and real-time AIS data to keep an eye on the dark fleet.
This week it has added significant free resources with Madani noting on social media: “We hope that by publishing these, our colleagues throughout the maritime intel industry shall pitch in with some data as well. We welcome everyone to benefit from this data.”
As well as dark fleet statistics, TankerTrackers.com has a constantly updated database of blacklisted tankers, free to access and a new resource about vessels that have been taken by Iran or the Houthis.
Among key takeaways from TankerTrackers.com treasure trove of shadow fleet data, the platform lists 1,469 active vessels as dark.
In terms of barrels carried by these vessels during the past year, the top four tradelanes are Iran to China at 1,644,340 barrels per day, followed by Russia to China at 910,460 barrels per day, then Russia to India at 908,069 barrels per day, and Venezuela to China at 554,748 barrels per day.
The top six flags hosting these ships in order are Russia, Panama, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Iran and Comoros.
As for foreign vessels being held involuntarily by Iran and Yemen’s Houthis, TankerTrackers.com has satellite imagery of four detained vessels: the Ariana, now held for 1,207 days, the Galaxy Leader, detained for 822 days, the MSC Aries, which has been held for 676 days, and the Reem Alkhaleej, captured on Christmas Day last year.
