Government Energy Policy, Business and Technology

Maritime oil crime is pervasive, requires more attention, forum told

Oil & Gas Journal: Stopping crude oil and product thefts may not seem to be a high priority in fighting global maritime crime, but they need to be addressed more aggressively because they can finance narcotic smuggling, human trafficking, and other destructive criminal enterprises, speakers agreed during an Apr. 10 Atlantic Council discussion.

They said the problem extends beyond pirates boarding tankers and holding the cargo and crew for ransom. Local fishermen now sell food for stolen fuel, thieves move products bought under a government subsidy in one country into another for sale at market prices, and influential individuals fraudulently obtain offshore oil licenses for resale to producers at much higher prices.

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