Iranian Shadow Tanker Master Goes Missing Before Indonesian Trial

A court in Batam, Indonesia has postponed the trial and verdict reading in a case involving a tanker caught conducting an illegal ship-to-ship oil transfer and charged with causing pollution. The master of the vessel, Mahmoud Abdelaziz Mohamed Hatiba, disappeared five days before the scheduled court session, adding a new twist to a case that has been ongoing for over a year. The ownership of the tanker, Arman 114, remains uncertain, with conflicting claims from various entities.

The master faced potential imprisonment for seven years and a hefty fine, with additional jail time if the fine was not paid. Prosecutors sought to seize the tanker and auction it along with its cargo. The vessel, suspected of smuggling Iranian oil, has been linked to unauthorized activities and questionable ownership. Despite claims from the Iranian Embassy denying ownership, the vessel’s true owner remains elusive.

The Indonesian Coast Guard discovered the Arman 114 anchored alongside another tanker, S Tinos, using false registration details. Both vessels attempted to flee when discovered, leading to their detention. Subsequent charges of waste dumping were added, implicating the Arman 114 in environmental violations. As the court proceedings were delayed due to the master’s absence, uncertainties remain regarding the fate of the vessel, its crew, and the pending charges.

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