Stena Oil: Government Tried to Sell Oil Illegally in West Africa

Stena Oil said the nation tried to sell the Duzgit Integrity's cargo

Sweden's Stena Oil is accusing the government of São Tomé e Príncipe of trying to sell cargo that it wrongfully confiscated from the company.

"This is the latest attempt by the government in São Tomé to profit on their illegal confiscation earlier this year of the ships Marida Melissa and Duzgit Integrity, chartered by Stena Oil," the company said Wednesday in a press release.

Stena Oil claims that the West African nation, which seized two of its ships for alleged smuggling in March, attempted unsuccessfully to sell cargo valued at $7.5 million from the Duzgit Integrity.

"A tanker ship from a buyer of the cargo was approaching São Tomé a few days ago, but turned around when the owner of the tanker ship got the whole picture of the situation," the company said.

The ship, M/T Anuket Emerald, chartered by Monjasa A/S, refused to load the fuel after learning that the Duzgit Integrity lacked proper certificates for an oil transfer and had no captain onboard.

The captains of the two ships have been released from prison after receiving a presidential pardon, and one of the two ships was released Friday, but the other is still being held according to Stena Oil.

"The São Tomé government are in the process of creating an international incident by this illegal behaviour which is in violation of international law and custom," the company said.

"Stena Oil has informed the government of Malta as well as the Swedish government and the European Union of the actions taken by São Tomé."

Stena Oil said in July that the actions by São Tomé e Príncipe amounted to "de facto piracy."