The crude oil tanker ‘Galatia’ has been docked at the Leopold dock in the port of Antwerp since 24 July 2023. The vessel was laid down because of technical defects. In addition, there are rumours of malpractice.
“This is a purely technical detention,” emphasises Bart Heylbroeck, advisor general at FPS Mobility and Transport – DG Shipping. “Several breaches of technical requirements have been identified, including emergency installations (such as the emergency generator and fire pumps) that are either not operational or cannot be operated.”
Accidental arrest
“The arrest has nothing to do with the rumours circulating about the vessel allegedly having engaged in a ship-to-ship transfer of illegal oil,” he continued. “It is a coincidence.”
An investigation is ongoing around the ‘Galatia’, which has been operated by India’s Gatik Ship Management since April 2023. The vessel may have been carrying illegal cargo on board and transferred to other ships on the open sea. The tanker allegedly belongs to the so-called shadow fleet or ‘ dark fleet’ that maintains Russian oil exports.
Trade old ships
Group of Seven (G7) sanctions against Russian oil and existing sanctions against Iranian and Venezuelan cargoes (there is a United Nationsban on Iran’s oil exports, ed.) have led to a thriving trade in old ships operating outside Western supervision. This draws attention to the dangers of a rapidly growing fleet of ageing tankers operating on the world’s oceans.
Unsafe at 22 points
The ‘Galatia’ was found unsafe in as many as 22 points. The port state control categorised seven findings as ‘serious’. “It indicates that across the board, the ship does not comply with the conventions set by the HKC (Hong Kong International Convention). The inspections have therefore been halted. It is now up to the ship’s owner to respond and take the necessary steps to bring the ship into compliance,” Heylbroeck said.
Saudi Arabia
The ‘Galatia’ departed from Djedda in Saudi Arabia on 29 June 2023 and moored in the port of Antwerp on 23 July 2023. It was detained on 24 July.
The ‘Galatia’ was built in 2005 and flies the flag of Panama. Its deadweight is 73,741 tonnes and its current draft is 8 metres. The ship is 228 metres long and 32 metres wide.
