Iraq has uncovered suspicious activity involving multiple oil tankers attempting to hide their locations while operating near southern ports. The State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO) identified the tankers loading petroleum products without authorization from Iraq’s official export schedules.
According to SOMO, several vessels used advanced techniques to hide their movements. These methods include tampering with the automated identification system (AIS), a tool designed to track a ship’s location. By switching off or altering their AIS signals, these ships tried to avoid detection during illegal loading operations.
The Iraq oil tankers location case has raised alarm across national security and oil export agencies. A letter from SOMO to Iraq’s National Security Agency labeled these movements as high-risk activities. The document warned that interfering with tracking systems or shipping products unlawfully may involve serious legal violations.
An attached appendix listed 11 tankers suspected in the case. These vessels are:
Flora Dolce, Mackerel, Chandrama, Padmanabh, Pontus, Ocean Guardian, Al Safa, Hulda, Ultostratos, Invictus, and Lanikai.
The tankers reportedly loaded oil from Iraq’s Umm Qasr and Khor al-Zubair ports. However, their absence from the Ministry’s export schedules has led officials to suspect illegal behavior. SOMO and Oil Ministry officials confirmed the authenticity of the letter and the seriousness of the allegations.
The Iraq oil tankers location case comes during a time of heightened attention on illegal oil trade across the region. Iraq has increased its monitoring efforts to stop unauthorized shipments and prevent revenue losses caused by smuggling.
In a broader context, this incident mirrors global concerns. Just recently, the United States Treasury issued new sanctions on firms linked to Iran’s oil trade. These companies reportedly used similar deceptive tactics, including false paperwork and ship-to-ship transfers to avoid international restrictions.
Security agencies in Iraq are now investigating the suspected vessels and their activities. The Ministry of Oil may soon announce new protocols to tighten control at export terminals and enforce tracking compliance.
The Iraq oil tankers location case also highlights the growing challenge of maritime smuggling using digital and physical manipulation. Officials believe stricter enforcement and advanced tracking tools are needed to ensure all exports follow legal and transparent procedures.
Iraq continues to depend heavily on oil for national revenue. Preventing illegal exports remains a top priority for the government as it works to protect its energy sector.