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Last Updated:February 17, 2026, 02:02 IST
Indian authorities seized three ships near Mumbai, boosting maritime surveillance. Two vessels linked to Iran had complex ownership and identity changes.
Oil tanker Asphalt Star, one of the vessels cited in a Reuters report on ships seized by Indian authorities this month. (Image: VesselFinder)
Indian authorities have seized three oil tankers sanctioned by the United States and increased surveillance across the country’s maritime zone as part of efforts to curb illicit trade, according to a Reuters report.
The vessels — Stellar Ruby, Asphalt Star and Al Jafzia — have frequently changed identities, a tactic often used to avoid detection by coastal authorities, Reuters said, adding that their ownership structures were based overseas.
Vessels Seized Offshore Mumbai
The tankers were seized off the coast near Mumbai, the report said.
Iranian state media, citing the National Iranian Oil Company, said the three vessels had no connection to the company, adding that neither the ships nor their cargoes were linked to it.
The Indian Coast Guard has deployed around 55 ships and between 10 and 12 aircraft for continuous surveillance within India’s maritime zones, according to the report.
The US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said last year it had sanctioned three vessels — Global Peace, Chil 1 and Glory Star 1 — with International Maritime Organization (IMO) numbers that match those of the ships recently seized by India, Reuters reported.
According to data from LSEG, two of the vessels have been linked to Iran. Al Jafzia was reported to have transported fuel oil from Iran to Djibouti in 2025, while Stellar Ruby has been flagged in Iran.
The Asphalt Star primarily operated on routes around China, the data show.
Sanctioned oil is often traded at discounted prices due to the risks involved, with shipments sometimes routed through complex ownership arrangements, false documentation or ship-to-ship transfers, which can complicate enforcement, the report added.
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First Published:
February 17, 2026, 02:02 IST
News world Three US-Sanctioned Tankers Seized Off Mumbai Coast This Month: Report
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