US Coast Guard intercepts ship carrying fuel to Cuba

WASHINGTON, United States (CMC) – The United States (US) Coast Guard says it has concluded the successful interdiction of a Motor Vessel (M/V) Grace following a coordinated international enforcement effort confirming the vessel’s “illicit trafficking” of fuel to Cuba. The US Coast Guard said in early September, a Coast Guard tactical team boarded M/V Grace in the Caribbean Sea. It said M/V Grace was transiting to Cuba, carrying fuel, and was believed to be employing tactics common amongst the “dark fleet.” Following the boarding, the US Coast Guard said it escorted the M/V Grace to Progreso, Mexico, where a Mexican Navy (Marina) inspection team confirmed the presence of large quantities of fuel in the vessel’s ballast tanks. The vessel was also carrying several containers believed to contain illicit fuel, the US Coast Guard said. “The unsafe stowage of fuel in ballast tanks represents an inherent hazard to the marine environment,” it said. “The actions of the United States and Mexico prevented an unregulated fuel transfer in the Caribbean Sea, where deceptive shipping practices, unsafe vessel conditions and concealed cargoes can increase the risk of oil spills and other pollution incidents that threaten coastal communities, fish stocks and sensitive marine ecosystems.” Vice Admiral Nate Moore, deputy commandant for operations, said that “illicit fuel shipments violate international law and pose severe environmental threats in the Caribbean Sea, “As the Coast Guard leverages our unique authorities and capabilities on the high seas, coordinated efforts are vital to stopping illegal fuel shipments and upholding international law,” he said. “We thank the Government of Mexico for its assistance in bringing M/V Grace to justice.” Moore said that the US Coast Guard employed a range of assets and specialised capabilities to ensure a “safe, seamless operation in accordance with US and international law.” Admiral Kevin Lunday, commandant of the US Coast Guard, said: “The high seas are not a sanctuary for lawlessness. “Dark fleet actors who employ deceptive tactics to engage in illicit activities will not evade justice,” he said. “The Coast Guard is bringing every capability to bear to interdict these vessels and uphold international law.” The US Coast Guard said the interdiction of M/V Grace follows the Coast Guard’s boarding and detention of the M/V Jaira Provider, “another substandard vessel determined to be carrying illicit fuel to Cuba earlier this summer.” In support of the Trump administration’s policy and in coordination with interagency and international partners, the US Coast Guard said it continues to conduct operations “to counter illicit maritime activity by dark fleet, stateless vessels, and vessels that fail to adhere to international standards. “These efforts are conducted consistent with customary international law as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention and in cooperation with Flag State and Port State authorities,” the US Coast Guard said.