The article discusses the alarming state of aging oil tankers connected to shadowy Iranian and Russian fleets, which experts refer to as 'floating time bombs'. The main concern expressed by maritime specialists is not about whether these vessels will leak oil but when it will happen. The shadow fleet has been increasing, raising the risk of an environmental disaster that could dwarf previous oil spills, such as the infamous Exxon Valdez spill of 1989, which released 37,000 tons of crude oil and polluted over 2,000 km of coastline.

Experts from Pole Star Global have evaluated 29 Iranian vessels operating under the radar by turning off their satellite identification systems, particularly following the seizure of a Venezuelan tanker by the US in December. Alarmingly, many of these ships are over 20 years old, surpassing the safe operational lifespan recommended for vessels, thus increasing concerns about their safety and reliability. The implications of a major oil spill are profound, threatening marine ecosystems, local economies, and public health along the shipping routes where these vessels operate.

As these vessels remain unresolved environmental time bombs, experts echo the urgent call to monitor and address the risks posed by aging fleets that operate without proper oversight. A potential spill could not only cause severe ecological damage but also have far-reaching geopolitical consequences, especially as tensions rise in various maritime regions connected to oil transport.