Shadowy 'Floating Gas Station' Facilitates Illicit Oil Trade Off Southeast Asia

This report from Večernji List sheds light on a clandestine operation occurring off the coast of Southeast Asia, described as an "illegal" floating gas station. This hub facilitates ship-to-ship transfers of oil, serving as a crucial, albeit illicit, lifeline for sanctioned tankers, particularly those dealing in Iranian oil.

The data compiled by United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) reveals a disturbing trend: a sharp rise in these transfers within the EOPL zone near Malaysia. The numbers—679 in 2025, up from 471 in 2024 and 280 in 2023—paint a picture of a rapidly expanding shadow economy circumventing international sanctions.

The recent US seizure of the MT Tifani, laden with 1.9 million barrels of Iranian oil, brought this "without-law" zone into sharp focus. The tanker was frequently observed in this area before its Automatic Identification System (AIS) was deactivated, only to reappear later, underscoring the deliberate efforts to obscure its activities.

From a Croatian perspective, this exposé raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of international sanctions and the sophisticated methods employed to undermine them. The existence of such a "gas station" operating with impunity in international waters highlights a significant gap in global maritime governance. Večernji List's reporting emphasizes the need for greater vigilance and international cooperation to combat these illicit trade routes that fuel sanctioned regimes and destabilize global energy markets.