Avtandil Kalandadze, a 47-year-old Georgian national and former captain of the tanker Bella 1, has been sentenced to 10 months in federal prison after defying U.S. Coast Guard orders during a prolonged pursuit across the Atlantic. Kalandadze pleaded guilty in June to failing to stop for the Coast Guard, with plans for deportation upon completing his sentence. The case highlights the U.S. commitment to enforcing maritime laws against illicit oil shipments linked to adversarial nations.
The Bella 1 was under scrutiny for transporting roughly 1.8 million barrels of Iranian oil using clandestine methods typical of the shadow fleet. Prosecutors noted that the vessel operated with its Automatic Identification System (AIS) turned off and concealed its identity during transfers of Iranian oil. The pursuit began in December 2025 when the tanker, en route to Venezuela, ignored commands from the Coast Guard Cutter Munro, leading to a chase lasting over two weeks.
U.S. authorities eventually seized the tanker on January 7, aided by military personnel and a judicial warrant. The investigation underscores increasing enforcement focus not just on ships and owners but also on individuals involved in sanctions evasion. Prior to the pursuit, Bella 1 had already faced sanctions due to its connections with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force.
