Okay, here’s a revised and fact-checked version of the provided text, incorporating details from recent web searches (as of January 23, 2024). I’ve corrected inaccuracies and added details where necessary.
Iranian Tanker MT Arman 114 to be Auctioned After Indonesian Court Order
The Indonesian government is proceeding wiht the auction of the Iranian-flagged oil tanker MT Arman 114 (formerly Grace 1 and Adrian Darya 1), following a court order. The estimated value of the ship and its cargo is approximately $118 million.
The MT Arman 114, with a deadweight tonnage (dwt) of 300,579, currently holds around 167,000 metric tons (approximately 1.25 million barrels) of crude oil on board.
The vessel was initially detained by Indonesian authorities in July 2023 in the waters of Batu Ampar, Batam City, Riau Islands Province, after being caught conducting an illegal ship-to-ship oil transfer.An Indonesian patrol boat discovered the arman 114 attempting to conceal evidence and flee the scene. Malaysian authorities initially intervened,returning the ship to Indonesia.
The ship’s ownership remains murky. The Batam court dismissed claims from Panama-registered companies asserting ownership. Iran has consistently denied ownership of both the ship and the oil cargo.
The captain of the MT Arman 114, an Egyptian national, was found guilty in absentia of pollution charges after fleeing the country before the verdict. He was sentenced to seven years imprisonment and a fine of approximately US$300,000 (with an additional six months imprisonment for non-payment of the fine).The court ordered the confiscation of the tanker and its cargo.
History of the Vessel
The MT Arman 114 has a complex history and has been at the center of international incidents. Built in 1997, it previously operated as the Grace 1. in July 2019, British Royal Marines seized the Grace 1 off the coast of Gibraltar, suspecting it was carrying Iranian oil destined for Syria in violation of EU and US sanctions. Iran responded by seizing the British tanker Stena Impero.
The Grace 1 was released by a Gibraltar court in August 2019 after Iran provided assurances that the oil would not be delivered to Syria. The vessel was afterward renamed Adrian Darya 1 and later, in 2020, became the Arman 114. The ship has been subject to US sanctions since 2019.
Current Status: Auction
The Indonesian government has listed the MT Arman 114 for auction through its Directorate General of State Assets. The auction is expected to attract international interest, though potential buyers may face complications due to the ship’s sanctions history and unclear ownership. The proceeds from the auction will be used to cover court costs and fines.
[Image of MT Arman 114 from Indonesian Auction Screenshot]
(Source: Various news reports, including Reuters, CNBC, Maritime Executive, and others – see links below)
[Gambas:Video CNBC]
Sources Used for Verification & Updates (as of Jan 23, 2024):
* CNBC: [https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/19/indonesia-to-auction-iranian-oil-tanker-seized-over-illegal-transfer.html](https://www.cnbc.com/2024/0
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