Iranian Cargo Ship Traces in the Red Sea -2022
"The Tale of an Iranian Merchant Ship Under Cover"
The article no addresses the specific question of whether Iran sent weapons to Port Sudan, but instead focuses on the broader issue of Iran's establishment and presence at strategic locations in the Red Sea.
Background
Iran has always aspired to establish its economic and political influence in Africa, especially in the east.
In addition to trade, according to reports published in the mid-2000s, Iran also developed military ties with Sudan, providing training and military equipment to Sudan's armed forces. There were several reports about Iranian Navy ships being docked at Port Sudan during 2012-2013.
The military ties between Iran and Sudan are seen as a significant development in the region and have been a matter of concern on the part of the international community, especially the United States and its regional allies.
The US sanctions Iran in an effort to limit its regional influence but the Iranian presence in Port Sudan is part of a larger pattern of increased Iranian involvement in the region.
Just to remind you that Bandar Abbas Port is not just a military harbor.
It is also a departure base for civilian Dhows and ships to the coasts of Yemen and Somalia.
It has been recorded already that civilian dhows and ships departed from Bandar Abbas's northern piers towards the Somalian coast, most likely a method for arms smuggling, you can read more about it here.
The fact that a cargo ship departed from Bandar Abbas and docked in the port of Sudan in 2022 is a cause for concern on the one hand and on the other hand, it is evidence that Iran may have been able to circumvent these sanctions and continue to establish itself in the region using creative ways to circumvent the international sanctions.
The investigation presented here is the first publication and is only one accidental success and raises questions about how many times Iran managed to circumvent the sanctions and reach Port Sudan.
The use of the Tanzania flag by Iran
Although Tanzania is rated as black Flagged, the use of Tanzania-flagged vessels by Iran is part of a larger pattern of efforts by the Iranian government to evade international sanctions and continue trade, especially in the arms smuggling issue.
Change of flags is one of the creative ways to circumvent these restrictions, including the use of front companies, intermediaries, and disguised shipping vessels.
I already recorded several times on my Twitter channel that Iran has been using Tanzania-flagged vessels most likely to transport arms to destinations such as Khorramshahr and Iraq. You can read more about it here.
The use of Tanzania-flagged vessels provides Iran the ability to avoid detection by international authorities and to move weapons through international waters with relative ease.
It is just one example of the challenges faced by the international community in enforcing sanctions and preventing the spread of weapons.
The use of the Tanzanian flag by the Iranian merchant fleet is motivated mainly by economic considerations.
In the past, there have been reports and evidence of crew members, mainly from India, Pakistan, and Tanzania, who have complained about delayed wages and inadequate provision of necessities like water and food.
A good example is the story about M.V ASA NADIYA ex. AIZDIHAR, IMO 8906846, represents the fate and status of most of the Tanzanian-flagged ships operating in the Iranian merchant fleet, especially in Bushehr.
You can read more about it here.
TONDAR 1-A story about an Iranian Cargo ship that visited Port Sudan & Djibouti
TONDAR is a well-known made-in-Iran gun, a copy of MP5 by the Iranian Defense Industries Organization (DIO).
TONDAR 1, is a name of an Iranian Cargo Ship.
It was very hard to spot the suspicious ship on the various tracking platforms or during searches due to its AIS OFF for the last 3 weeks.
I started to investigate just 2 days before TONDAR 1 joined the "dark armada".
TONDAR 1, a General Cargo Ship, IMO 9481764, was first spotted by me near the Farasan Islands in the Red Sea, by chance.
TONDAR 1 is a Tanzania-flagged vessel.
Seeing a Tanzanian-flagged ship in the Red Sea is not unusual.
However, as someone who knows a word or two in the Persian language & Persian tradition, I immediately recognized that it was a suspected Iranian vessel.
During my research, I discovered that TONDAR 1, used to be an Iranian ship, and its shipping company, was also found to be Iranian.
The name TONDAR means "strong thunder noise" in Persian.
The shipping company's name, SHAHBAKHSH A, which means "having the qualities of a king" in Persian.
TONDAR 1's flag was changed from Iranian to Tanzanian between January-February 2022, as verified through the Equasis platform.
According to the Equasis platform it is owned and managed by SHAHBAKHSH A company since February 20, 2022.
The previous ship manager of TONDAR 1, was CONTROL PARDAZ CO LTD.
And the previously registered company was POURMATOURI & KHAYATZADE.
Both were registered under a Chinese address, in the care of Control Pardaz Co. Ltd.
Owned by Seyyed Ahmad Pourmatouri & Masoud Khayatzade, both Iranian "actors".
And the registered flag before February 20, 2022, was Iranian:
TONDAR 1 Homeport is Khorramshahr, a homeport for a lot of Tanzanian-flagged vessels under Iranian control.
With all these facts there is no doubt about the identity of TONDAR 1 - completely Iranian, we will back with other facts later.
The TONDAR 1 last transmitted its position on January 28, 2023, at 20:26 UTC, and was reported as "aground" near the Farasan Islands which is a small coral Island group.
The TONDAR 1 was grounded near the Farasan Islands due to its heavy weight and subsequent checks on the ship's draught status revealed that it was constrained.
The facts indicate that the ship was loaded and drifted into a coral area, ultimately leading to its grounding.
The last geolocation of the ship was recorded as 16.5069,41.8167 and it is confirmed and verified according to satellite images.
On December 21, 2022, at 16:18 UTC TONDAR 1 was heading north direction with 0.5 Knots speed, Geolocated: 16.3667,41.8201 and then it became "dark".
Since, due to the cloudy and stormy weather, there are no satellite images to testify to the date when TONDAR 1 drifted to the coral reefs, with an average analysis of the ship's speed and distance, my assumption is that it already happened on December 21st.
The first provided satellite image on Sentinel 2, for the grounded TONDAR 1, was only on January 08, but the visibility was very blurry.
However, on Sentinel 1, TONDAR 1 was visible in the grounded geolocation: 16.5069,41.8167 on December 28, 2022, at 03:07 UTC.
On January 18, 2023, the visibility was the best from all the provided images, grounded in the same cords.
Just to mention that there were more Sentinel 1 images indicating that TONDAR 1 is floating exactly at the same cords.
After 5 days with AIS OFF, on February 01, 2023, at 16:09 UTC, TONDAR 1, turned the AIS System ON and was floating 45m north to geolocation: 16.5065,41.81667.
But it was "ON" just for a few hours and become dark again.
On February 07, TONDAR 1, was spotted on Sentinel 2, still grounded, in Geolocation: 16.5065,41.81667, AIS OFF.
Cruise Analysis
The TONDAR 1's presence & grounding near the Farasan Islands was a curious occurrence and the discovery of its true Iranian origin and the switch in flag from Iranian to Tanzanian raised suspicions.
During my research, I found that TONDAR 1 moored in Port Sudan in 2022.
That's an important detail!
It adds to the suspicious circumstances surrounding TONDAR 1 and SHAHBAKHSH A.
Mooring in Port Sudan, an area with a known history of illicit maritime activities, only heightens the concerns regarding the true purpose and intentions of the ship and its shipping company.
Overall, the recent discovery of TONDAR 1 moored in Port Sudan highlights the ongoing importance of maritime security and the need for continued vigilance and cooperation in safeguarding the waters and communities in the region.
Here is TONDAR 1's cruise research:
TONDAR 1, loaded in Bandar-Abbas
TONDAR 1, was loaded in Bandar Abbas Port twice during 2022.
According to the Marine Traffic platform, TONDAR 1 was moored in Bandar Abbas on March 07 & April 28, 2022.
There were no Satellite images with high-res for these dates and Sentinel 2 provided a very blurry image eighter.
The TONDAR 1 was also spotted on Maxar in Bandar Abbas Anchor on March 31, 2022, at 07:58.
Just a few weeks before she started her tour toward the Red Sea area.
Based on Marine Traffic Data and her length (53 m) I was able to Identify TONDAR 1 at the Bandar Abbas anchor as provided on the Google Earth High-Res images archive.
The second image was taken by Sentinel 2, unloaded at Bandar Abbas anchor on April 28, 2022, at 07:02UTC just 4 hours before entering the harbor.
TONDAR 1, loaded in Port Dubai
According to the Marine Traffic platform, TONDAR 1 arrived in Port Dubai on April 16, 2022, and was spotted on Sentinel 2 loading in Port Dubai on April 18, 2022, at 07:01 UTC and got also on Maxar high-resolution satellite image.
Exact Geolocation: 25.26753,55.27929
Along the Yemeni Coastal area
Next, TONDAR 1 was tracked along the Yemeni coast and was spotted "floating" in several uninhabited coastal areas with AIS OFF.
The analysis of the behavior of this vessel raises a lot of suspicion regarding the unusual movements, especially when it comes to an Iranian vessel that departed from Bandar Abbas and sailed along the coast of Yemen.
One of the points that should cause concern was on September 07, 2022, when TONDAR 1 returned from the coast direction, only 4 km from the Aden-Mukalla road, it was sailing with AIS OFF to the coast and then at 17:18 UTC, AIS was On again.
No indication where TONDAR 1 was docked if indeed it was docked.
The fact, that this Iranian Cargo ship was sailing toward an uninhabited Yemeni coastal area with AIS OFF and turned AIS ON when left, 4 Km from the coast, with the fact that the Aden-Mukalla road is just 359 m from the coast, should raise questions about the essence of being in this coastal area for at least 4 hours.
Note that this area is not known as a fishing area!
Another "floating" was spotted on September 11, 2022, sailing with AIS OFF just 7.7 Km from the Yemeni coast, another suspicious point.
The proximity to a strategic road to Aden, the vessel's background & identity, and the fact that TONDAR 1 departed from Bandar Abbas port should raise questions about the vessel's suspicious behavior.
Unfortunately, there were no available satellite images for the Yemeni coast and those that were available were very cloudy for the relevant dates.
Along the Eritrean Coastal area
During her cruise in the Red Sea, spots with suspicious sailing behavior were detected while the AIS was OFF for most of the route.
The Dahlak Islands archipelago is known for its beautiful pearls.
On September 14, 2022, TONDAR 1 made a stop at Geolocation: 13.2792,42.8357 for 20 minutes.
The second point was 69 Km East off the coast of Tiyo, Eritrea at Geolocation: 14.8606,41.5778
The 3rd & 4th stops were spotted 70 Km East of the Dahlak Archipelago. Geolocated at: 15.9472,40.8939
It might be some kind of Illegal fishing too or collecting pearls (IUU-Illegal, Unreported & Unregulated fishing activity) action since I don't see any other logical reason for stopping in this area with AIS OFF especially when it concerns an Iranian vessel.
Unfortunately, there were no satellite images available for this area on these dates.
Port Sudan Arrival
TONDAR 1, General Cargo Ship, IMO 9481764 Arrived in Port Sudan on September 28, 2022, and moored at 17:14 UTC.
Departed on September 29, around 21:40 UTC.
Port Sudan is not listed in the port calls and there were no satellite images available for this location for this date.
Although I found TONDAR 1 in the Port Calls archive for Port Sudan:
*NOTE: There is no conflict with the times as the time shown on my analysis is the exact time for Moored/Departed and the times in the archive are entering the port/Out of the port times.
The only satellite images that are available, are from the anchor after TONDAR 1 departed from the port.
For an unknown reason, TONDAR 1, was anchored for almost 3 months at the anchor before leaving the area.
During its stay at the anchor, it was spotted changing its locations.
TONDAR 1, left Port Sudan, anchor, on December 10, 2022, at 12:17 UTC heading south direction.
As her draught was in ballast, her lower speed was 1.4 Kn, and her highest speed was 4.6 Kn.
TONDAR 1, passed BEHSHAD ( [Iranian Intel Vessel, IMO 9167289) and ascended in a northerly direction until it grounded near the Farasan Islands.
We will discuss this suspect route later.
TONDAR 1 was spotted on Planet on December 31, 2022, at 07:57 UTC.
Compared to the High-Resolution from Dubai Port, it fits 100% (The red color is a reflection of the corals).
TONDAR 1- Appearance in Djibouti-June 2019
If that's not enough and someone still has doubts about the nature of this ship's missions, the next article has unique documentation in the network about the presence of TONDAR 1 in the Djibouti port for a duration of 3 weeks.
The article starts with the mention of a rumor about the arrival of an Iranian warship in the area, which was soon debunked by revealing that it was actually a cargo ship that had been stranded in territorial waters due to technical issues and was later towed to port after a prolonged stay.
It occurred in June 2019.
The story starts on June 9th, 2019, when a special naval force encountered a floating ship in the territorial waters of Djibouti.
According to the information written, this ship was in the territorial waters for 5 months due to a "technical problem with its engine".
TONDAR 1, IMO 9481764 was towed to the Djibouti port and moored in berth 5 for 3 weeks.
Note, its presence in the port was close to the presence of the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle that moored in berth 11.
You can read more about it here.
Translation of the chapter indicates that TONDAR 1, IMO 9481764 was docked in Djibouti:
"This same approach of clarity, and probably also for prudential reasons, led the port management of PAID on the same evening of Sunday, June 9th to have a powerful dhow tow an Iranian cargo ship - TONDAR 1 (IMO 9481764) - and its crew with engine problems in our territorial waters since last January.
This vessel, at anchor for a time, had been parked at dock 5 for three weeks.
This removal is also explained by the arrival in Djibouti on June 20th, 2019, of the flagship of the French naval fleet, the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, at dock 11. The security measures surrounding this visit are important, and it is not impossible that the presence of Iranian personnel, even civilians, a few hundred meters from the French fleet, may have given the authorities cold sweats".
Conclusions & Insights:
The article addresses the broader issue of Iran's establishment and presence at strategic locations in the Red Sea, rather than the specific question of whether Iran sent weapons to Sudan.
The article highlights the suspicious behavior of an Iranian cargo ship named TONDAR 1, IMO 9481764 that was flagged under a Tanzanian flag in 2022 to avoid detection by international authorities.
The change of flag was part of Iran's efforts to evade international sanctions and continue its trade.
It was last recorded as "aground" near the Farasan Islands in the Red Sea.
The ship was "grounded" probably due to its heavy weight, adding a combination of the "history of engine problems" and "bad weather", and subsequent checks revealed that it was loaded and constrained.
It is important to emphasize that this vessel is manned and not abandoned since for the last month the AIS system is activated every 5 days on average for only a few hours.
The evidence clearly shows that this ship has a distinct and recurring pattern of stopping and floating at points that are not logically explainable for much of its route.
For instance, we observed this pattern in Port Sudan anchor, where the ship stayed for three months without a clear reason, and in the Farasan Islands, where it still stayed "grounded" for two months, seemingly due to drifting up to the coral reefs due to “its excessive weight” ( Vessel Constrained ).
The term 'Shelter' in the maritime field refers to a location used as a shield from storms during a voyage.
However, in this instance, it's evident that TONDAR 1 changed its course and headed back north at a point when no storm was expected in route.
This is also the case for the ship's stays at the Sudan anchor and the Dahlak Islands area.
Although the ship's stops along the coast of Yemen and Eritrea in the Dakhlak Islands and off the Assab coast area are short, it is evident that, given the ship's background, they are still illogical, even if there is only a low probability of fishing or pearls collecting activity, this operation will be classified as IUU Since these are protected reserves.
Assab northern Port, Eritrea - this is a new port built in 2015 by the Emirates.
To mention the bloody war between Eritrea and Ethiopia and the fact that there is evidence that Iran supports Ethiopia with weapons.
These facts should turn on a red light regarding the presence of the ship 30 km from the Assab coastal area for 20 minutes.
In addition, it is important to add the fact that on June 2019, TONDAR 1 stayed for about at least 5 months in the territorial waters of Djibouti on the "grounds of engine problems".
To point out the fact that the territorial waters of Djibouti are considered a strategic point of great importance and to add the French warships that usually anchor in this port like many other warships.
To summarize and consider the background of the ship:
we got 6 strategic points that TONDAR 1 stayed for different periods without a reasonable explanation:
Djibouti territorial waters, Port Sudan anchor, Farasan Islands, Yemen coasts & Dahlak archipelago, and Assab coastal area, all are "areas of interest".
The question remains whether these are intentional cover stories or mere coincidences.
One can say that these are build-up speculations, but I see here a series of facts that point to only one thing.
In light of the facts and analysis I have shared, I will be cautious in my assessment:
TONDAR 1 has joined the ranks of merchant ships that have converted their basket of missions in favor of the Iranian regime & IRIN Intelligence capabilities.
The stops TONDAR 1 has made on the Eritrean coastal areas were aimed for Intelligence gathering purposes, same for the long stay at Port Sudan anchor, the Farasan Islands, and Djibouti in 2019.
The ship in question has purposes & behavior similarities to the BEHSHAD (IMO 9167289) in the Red Sea & AMINA (IMO 9305192) in the Black Sea as well as other Iranian OPSEC/Intel ships.
A merchant ship has a purpose: unloading and loading goods in ports.
Being prolonged in an anchor for a period of 3 months is unusual except for cases related to port bureaucracy, But that's not the story here as TONDAR 1 left the area after its long stay in the anchor.
And to mention that at a certain point, TONDAR 1 turned back north towards the Farasan coral islands, a reinforcing fact that this is not a ship that lost control and drifted until it ran "aground".
The fact of changing the flag is probably due to her past visit to Djibouti in 2019.
TONDAR 1, departed from Bandar Abbas Harbor.
The pearl collection mission option was dropped from the episode because, during the stay in the area off the coast of Eritrea, the ship also stayed for a long time outside the pearl reef area of the Dahlak Islands.
TONDAR 1 will remain in its current location for at least two more weeks and will stay in the Red Sea area for an extended period unless they complete their mission of collecting pearls...
And last but not least: during my in-depth research I found information indicating that Iran intends to send at least 7 cargo ships during the year 2023 to the port of Sudan, this time real cargo ships.
Recommendations:
• Continue to track the General Cargo ship TONDAR 1, IMO 9481764, to identify and establish suspicious patterns.
• The company SHAHBAKSH A. is in violation of maritime rules for using the Tanzanian flag to circumvent sanctions.
• Continue to track the ship using space-based intelligence satellites, including at Port Sudan, and to collect high-resolution images based on 4EO/EROS/SAR/Thermal Etc. during its stay at Dahlak Islands, Farasan Coral Islands & Bandar Abbas (all relevant dates are included in this report) in order to classify the nature of the cargo and what is happening on board the ship.
• The Vessel Finder Platform should remove the ship's picture, as the current picture is not identified as the ship, and the length/beam measurements should be corrected from 220/70 m to 53/8 m.
Thank you for reading my article/ report! This article is public so feel free to share it!
Views are my own, follow me on Twitter.
February 2023.
Special Thanks: @MT _Anderson for the High-Res image of Farasan Isl. & to Joshua Koontz for the consultation & Tips on Yemeni weapons.