Reuters reveals China-owned oil tanker changes name in apparent effort to evade U.S. sanctions

Reuters exclusively reported that the very large crude carrier (VLCC) Pacific Bravo could have changed its name to Latin Venture at sea. Pacific Bravo went dark on June 5, shutting off the transponder that signals its position and direction to other ships. A U.S. government official had warned ports in Asia not to allow the ship to dock, saying it was carrying Iranian crude in violation of U.S. economic sanctions. On July 18, the transponder of the VLCC Latin Venture was activated offshore Port Dickson, Malaysia. But both transmitted the same unique identification number, indicating the Latin Venture and the Pacific Bravo were the same vessel and suggested the owner was trying to evade Iranian oil sanctions.