Oil tanker involved in smuggling practices off Mumbai coast | Photo credit: Indian Coast Guard social media post
TankerTrackers.com, the US-based independent online service that tracks and reports crude oil shipments and storage in various geographic and geopolitical areas of interest, identified the three ships as Al Jafzia (flag of Nicaragua), Asphalt Star (Mali) and Stellar Ruby (Iran).
In January 2025, former US President Joe Biden announced shipping sanctions on 180 ships and dozens of entities and individuals involved in Russian oil and gas trade and production.
The Indian Coast Guard said on Saturday it has busted an international oil smuggling company in a carefully coordinated sea-air operation. The syndicate used maritime transport in international waters to transport cheap oil from conflict-affected areas to motor tankers, avoiding taxes owed to coastal states.
Based on technical surveillance and data pattern analysis, ICG intercepted three suspected vessels about 100 nautical miles west of Mumbai. Persistent search, electronic data confirmation and interrogation of the crew revealed the modus operandi and a global network of handlers.
The ships known to frequently change identities are being escorted to Mumbai for further legal action, strengthening India’s role as a net provider of maritime security and guardian of the rules-based international order, the ICG said in a social media post.
Published on February 8, 2026
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