Both are reported heading to Alang, India. The value of the sale was not disclosed. GMS said a court order authorized the sales, but the previous ownership history was unclear. Reported by The Insider citing Lloyd’s List, 12 August.

Era was seized in January after a multi-week pursuit in the Atlantic. The tanker had changed flag to Russia. The master, Avtandil Kalandadze, pleaded guilty in June to failing to heave to a U.S. Coast Guard cutter. He was sentenced in August to 10 months followed by deportation. Confirmed by the Department of Justice.

Lileo was seized near Venezuela in the same period. Washington stated the vessels had been used to move oil from Venezuela and Iran.

Earlier in the year three other U.S.-sanctioned tankers — Woodchip (IMO 9018464), Global Star (IMO 9164500) and Bodhi (IMO 9144782) — were also reported sailing to Alang for scrapping.

Sold for scrap is not the same as confirmed on the beach. No Fleet AIS or beach still of Era or Lileo appears in this file.

How Alang works

Alang–Sosiya sits on the Gulf of Khambhat in Gujarat. The spring tidal range reaches 10–11 metres — one of the highest in the world. The beach has a gentle gradient and a firm intertidal bottom. That combination lets a large tanker be driven ashore on a single high tide, under its own power or under tow, by a licensed beaching pilot. Once grounded the hull is progressive winched higher as it is cut and lightened. Sections fall into the intertidal zone; further cutting continues at low water. The method is labour-intensive and does not require dry-dock infrastructure. Those are the operational reasons the site was developed for ship recycling.

Established

• Era (9230880) and Lileo (9256860) sold by the U.S. government to GMS for scrap and reported heading to Alang (The Insider citing Lloyd’s List, 12 Aug).
• Bella 1 master pleaded guilty (DOJ, June) and was sentenced to 10 months (Aug).
• OFAC designations exist for BELLA 1 and related hulls.
• Three other sanctioned tankers reported to Alang earlier in 2026 (The Week citing Bloomberg).

Not established

• Official U.S. court or forfeiture paper for the Era / Lileo sale (secondary report only).
• That Era or Lileo has arrived or been beached at Alang.
• Current status of Woodchip, Global Star or Bodhi on the beach.
• Any primary Lloyd’s List or Bloomberg text in the pack.