For Remy Osman—the head chef at one of Singapore’s hottest new restaurants, the bustling crossroads of global trade—this is a different story. From the rooftop of his apartment, he keeps an eye out for rusty tankers. These ships pirate black market oil across one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world—the Singapore Strait. This vital maritime route is home to around 100,000 vessels each year and 12 percent of global trade—about one-third of all goods traded—passes through its waters. Osman’s acerbic wit and deep understanding have garnered him a significant internet following. To do that, he tracks the movements of shadow vessels, or ships usually sailing under flags of convenience from countries notorious for weak watchfulness.
Over the past year, Osman has made it his mission to expose these shadow fleets. He is most fascinated with the increasing establishment of public interest in their work. He’s invented new ways to spot older vessels using ship tracking apps. In particular, he goes after the 20-25 year old vessels that fly flags of convenience such as Guinea, Comoros, The Gambia, and Mozambique. These flags of convenience permit operators to avoid enforcement of more stringent regulations and sanctions enacted by Western countries.
A Front-Row Seat to Maritime Activity
Underneath his perch, Osman stands directly over the corridor frequented by ships. Using only his iPhone, he takes breathtaking photos and videos of the ships. They do so without a seamless operation magically gliding them through the busy Singapore Strait. His documentation couldn’t have come at a better time. Even as news of shadow fleets fills headlines, Osman’s TikTok account has blown up. One of his videos from August 2022 garnered over two million views, showcasing public fascination with the hidden world of maritime oil transport.
His passion for connecting global affairs with real-time observations from his rooftop has transformed his hobby into a significant online platform.
“I’ve come to the rooftop to try to spot a sanctioned shadow fleet tanker.” – Remy Osman
The shadow fleets phenomenon has recently become a topic of interest as the global crude oil market finds itself under greater scrutiny. According to data from Kpler, more than $100 billion worth of crude oil was moved through sanctioned fleets in 2025. By December of that year, around 3,300 vessels made up this shadow fleet, which represented 6-7% of global crude flows.
The Rise of Shadow Fleets
Osman’s initiatives perfectly align with the United States’ own commitment to cracking down on such illicit, embargo-running operations. The U.S. government has pledged to increase ship seizure of those trying to evade sanctions, adding to the pressure on these shadow fleets. For coastal planners and maritime authorities in Singapore, the development is an unexpected boon.
Even the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) of Singapore realizes how challenging it could be to track these vessels. They underline their intent to closely track any vessel movements and behaviors that relate to the dark fleet.
“If those vessels were to go into Singapore, then it could take action. But going through the international strait, there are limited things that Singapore can do,” – Parker
In the process, Osman’s rooftop surveillance illuminates a range of illegal and dangerous activities while linking larger geopolitical struggles to the lived realities on the ground. Plus, as someone who lives in one of the world’s most criminally understudied shipping lanes. This unusual background provides him a quite unique view on the international trade currents.
“The Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) are Straits Used for International Navigation, where vessels enjoy the right of transit passage under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” – Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) of Singapore
A Unique Perspective on Global Affairs
“It’s fascinating to connect what’s happening in global affairs to what I can see outside,” Osman remarked. His insights provide a connection from the theoretical to the practical that is invaluable for his readers.
Even as shadow fleets grow more popular and raise more hackles on the public stage, Osman is leading from the front in this story yet to be fully told. He operates from an ideal location—Singapore, often regarded as one of the best places on Earth to observe these shadow ships.
Osman delves below the surface into this opaque and dangerous world of moving oil. His work has done a tremendous job of exposing its pernicious effects on global markets and security, creating critical awareness.
“Singapore is probably the best place on earth to see (shadow ships),” – Remy Osman
Through his work, Osman not only provides insight into the clandestine world of oil transport but also raises awareness about its implications on global markets and security.
