Shadowy fleet tanker Hyperion switches to Russian flag near Venezuela
A tanker Hyperion, which is linked to the shadow fleet, has switched to the Russian flag off the coast of Venezuela. This was reported by the specialised publication gCaptain. This is the second recorded case after the tanker Bella 1 changed its flag and was renamed Marinera
According to analysts, if such actions do not receive a legal assessment from the US and its allies, the scheme could become widespread. Experts at TankerTrackers.com warn that up to 1,475 tankers worldwide could potentially use this precedent to avoid sanctions and possible arrests
It is noted that currently more than 60 tankers, some of which are fully loaded, are in Venezuelan waters or near its coast, pending further decisions. Changing the flag is seen as one of the easiest ways to minimise the risk of detention
As for the Hyperion, on 24 December, the vessel officially changed its registration from Gambia to Russia. Two days earlier, on 22 December, the ownership and management of the tanker was transferred to New Fleet Ltd from St Petersburg, which may indicate a coordinated change in the vessel's legal status
Photo: Product tanker Hyperion (formerly NS Power) in the Arctic. (Source: War Sanctions)
