The shipping platform

Location: Diego Garcia is an atoll in the Chagos Archipelago - part of the British Indian Ocean Territory, and lies S of the Maldives and E of the Seychelles. General overview: The atoll, which has been leased to the United States, is a private US Military support base, leased by the British Ministry of Defence and is considered closed to non authorized traffic, except for emergencies. It consists of a main island which almost completely encloses a large lagoon, with 3 small islands on reefs spread across the entrance at the N end of the lagoon. Most vessels entering the harbour are military vessels, however occasionally non military vessels are given authorization to enter.