The Greek Independent Public Revenue Authority (AADE) has ramped up efforts against fuel smuggling, particularly in maritime operations. The Maritime Control Teams of the Attica Maritime Police are conducting daily inspections on ships and coastal facilities, especially in marine fuel supply areas, in close collaboration with the AADE’s Central Operations Room.
Recently, three significant cases of marine fuel smuggling were uncovered. On July 31, inspectors at Piraeus discovered an undeclared surplus of 11,687 liters of marine oil on a vessel. Earlier that month, a container ship was found with 39,336 liters of undeclared oil not listed in its customs documents. Additionally, a general cargo ship was caught carrying 24,500 liters of excess marine oil and 10,169 kilograms of low-sulfur crude oil, both lacking proper documentation.
Authorities utilized specialized measuring equipment to conduct physical inventory checks, revealing discrepancies between recorded and actual quantities. These inconsistencies resulted in fines exceeding €161,000. The AADE has pledged to maintain rigorous inspections and utilize all available resources to combat maritime fuel-related crime effectively.
