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US Reportedly Sells Seized Russian-Linked Tankers for Scrap

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The US sold two sanctioned oil tankers for scrap after seizing the vessels in January following links to Venezuela and Russia, according to multiple media reports said on Tuesday.

Dubai-based Global Marketing Systems bought the two vessels for an undisclosed amount and plans to send them to shipbreaking yards in India, according to the reports.

After the Era escaped a US blockade in the Caribbean, authorities pursued the tanker across the Atlantic and seized it in January.

The Era, renamed from its earlier operating under Marinera and Bella I, had links to Venezuela and carried sanctioned oil, while authorities seized the Lileo in January under US sanctions connected with Russia.

The vessels had previously operated under different names, while the US seized as many as 10 oil tankers following its military action in Venezuela, according to the reports.

US court approval and Treasury licenses cleared the sales, but sanctions made banks, insurers and other maritime service providers reluctant to handle the vessels, according to reports.

GMS bought the tankers through transactions with the US government instead of sanctioned owners, allowing both vessels to move toward demolition and exit illicit maritime trade, the reports said.

GMS reportedly said its role was to execute the disposal of the vessels so that defaulters are removed from the system, and they cannot re-enter trade.

GMS said earlier this year that it had received US clearance to dismantle four container ships flagged under Iran-related sanctions, according to Reuters.

GMS and the US Treasury did not immediately reply to' request for comment.

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