Marine vessels

The tanker during the period of the G7+ oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas, in particular, using deceptive, high-risk practices. In September 2024, the ISM management of the tanker was transferred to Seafaring Savants LLC (Azerbaijan) from the Moldovan company MRK Shipmanagement SRL. The Moldovan company MRK Shipmanagement SRL, along with a number of other Moldovan companies, is involved in the creation of a part of the shadow fleet involved in the export of Russian oil/oil products. The shadow tankers managed by Moldovan companies (Adel Ship Management SRL, BPC Shipmanagement SRL, MRK Shipmanagement SRL, KSN Shipmanagement SRL, OST Shipmanagement SRL, Surt Ship Management SRL, SAL Shipmanagement SRL, FLC Shipmanagement SRL) are being transferred to the management of Azerbaijani companies, including Dream Island Shipping LLC, Ocean Voyage LLC, Tidal Tech Mariners LLC, Seafaring Savants LLC, VVave Minder Shipmanagement, Triton Technical Services LLC, Navigenix Shipmanagement LLC, Nautilus Fleet Management LLC, Harbor Harmony Shipmanagement, and others. In December 2024, near Greece, the tanker made an STS transfer with tanker IMO 9318034, affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management, one of the leading operators of the so-called "shadow" fleet involved in the transportation of russian crude oil under Western sanctions. On February 24, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker as part of the restrictions on the russian shadow fleet. On February 24, March 04, 2025, the EU and Switzerland respectively imposed sanctions on the tanker for the transportation of crude oil/petroleum products originating in or exported from russia, using irregular high-risk shipping practices as specified in the International Maritime organization General Assembly resolution A.1192 (33) (the EU sanctions will come into force on February 25, 2025). In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel. In June 2025, Australia imposed sanctions on the vessel. Since September 12, 2025, New Zealand has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker during the period of the G7+ oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/oil products is involved in the export of russian crude oil/oil products. In January 2025, the ISM management of the tanker was transferred to Maritime Mavens LLC (Azerbaijan) from the Moldovan company BPC Shipmanagement SRL. At the same time, the security management of another tanker IMO 9424651 was transferred from BPC Shipmanagement SRL to Maritime Mavens LLC.The Moldovan company BPC Shipmanagement SRL, along with a number of other Moldovan companies, is involved in the creation of a part of the shadow fleet involved in the export of russian crude oil/oil products. The shadow tankers managed by Moldovan companies (Adel Ship Management SRL, MRK Shipmanagement SRL, BPC Shipmanagement SRL, KSN Shipmanagement SRL, OST Shipmanagement SRL, Surt Ship Management SRL, SAL Shipmanagement SRL, FLC Shipmanagement SRL) are transferred to the management of Azerbaijani companies, in particular Dream Island Shipping LLC, Ocean Voyage LLC, Tidal Tech Mariners LLC, Seafaring Savants LLC, VVave Minder Shipmanagement, Triton Technical Services LLC, Nautilus Fleet Management LLC, Harbor Harmony Shipmanagement, and others. As of July 17, 2025, the ISM management of the tanker is carried out by AQUA FLEET MANAGEMENT LLC (Azerbaijan), the fleet of which includes two more sanctioned tankers IMO 9266475 and IMO 9209972. Within the framework of restrictions on the russian shadow fleet, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker on February 24, 2025. On February 24, March 04, 2025 EU and Switzerland respectively imposed sanctions on the tanker for transporting crude oil/oil products originating in or exported from russia using irregular and high-risk shipping practices as specified in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly resolution A.1192 (33) (EU sanctions will enter into force on February 25, 2025). In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel. In June 2025, Australia imposed sanctions on the vessel. Since September 12, 2025, New Zealand has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/oil products under the G7+ oil embargo and the price-cap policy for russian crude oil/oil products, in particular from russian ports in the Pacific region to China. The vessel actively resorts to deceptive, high-risk practices (disabling AIS, conducting so-called dark activities) in the Baltic Sea near the russian ports of Ust-Luga and Primorsk in October 2024 and January 2025 (from January 10 for two days, January 12 for 9 hours, January 19 for 18 hours). The tanker is affiliated through the sanctioned companies Sun Ship Management (UAE), Oil Tankers SCF MGMT FZCO (UAE), Fornax Ship Management FZCO (UAE) with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia for servicing and supporting offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian oil, oil products, and liquefied gas. The major charterers of PJSC Sovcomflot's vessels are russia's largest oil and gas companies and traders. PJSC Sovcomflot is involved in servicing major oil and gas projects in russia: Sakhalin-1, Sakhalin-2, Varandey, Prirazlomnoye, Novy Port, Yamal LNG and others. On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel. According to GISIS IMO data, as of July 16, 2025, the vessel's registered name is TOPAZ, the flag of Barbados. At the same time, the vessel sails under the flag of the Comoros. From July 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions on a tanker for transporting crude oil/petroleum products that originate in russia or are exported from russia using irregular and high-risk shipping practices as set out in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly resolution A.1192 (33). On August 12, 2025, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel. Since September 12, 2025, the United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/oil products under the G7+ oil embargo and the price-cap policy for russian crude oil/petroleum products, in particular from russian ports in the Pacific region to China. The vessel actively resorts to deceptive, high-risk practices (disabling AIS, conducting so-called dark activities) in the Black Sea near the russian ports of Tuapse and Sochi, in particular in January 2025. The vessel is affiliated through the sanctioned companies Sun Ship Management (UAE), Oil Tankers SCF MGMT FZCO (UAE), Fornax Ship Management FZCO (UAE) with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia for servicing and supporting offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian crude oil, oil products, and liquefied gas. The major charterers of PJSC Sovcomflot's vessels are russia's largest oil and gas companies and traders. PJSC Sovcomflot is involved in servicing major oil and gas projects in russia: Sakhalin-1, Sakhalin-2, Varandey, Prirazlomnoye, Novy Port, Yamal LNG and others. On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel. From July 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions on a tanker for transporting crude oil/petroleum products that originate in russia or are exported from russia using irregular and high-risk shipping practices as set out in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly resolution A.1192 (33). On August 12, 2025, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel. Since September 12, 2025, the United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/oil products under the G7+ oil embargo and the price-cap policy for russian crude oil/oil products, including the disabling of AIS. The international public organization Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of the shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment. The tanker is affiliated with Sino Ship Management Company Limited, which was sanctioned by USA on January 10, 2025 for its activities in the energy sector of the russian economy. On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the tanker, which is considered to be part of the shadow fleet, as a property in which Sino Ship Management Company Limited has an interest. From July 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions on a tanker for transporting crude oil/petroleum products that originate in russia or are exported from russia using irregular and high-risk shipping practices as set out in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly resolution A.1192 (33). On August 12, 2025, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel. Since September 12, 2025, the United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/oil products under the G7+ oil embargo and the price-cap policy for russian crude oil/oil products. The tanker is affiliated through the sanctioned companies Sun Ship Management (UAE), Oil Tankers SCF MGMT FZCO (UAE), Fornax Ship Management FZCO (UAE) with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia for servicing and supporting offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian crude oil, oil products, and liquefied gas. The major charterers of PJSC Sovcomflot's vessels are russia's largest oil and gas companies and traders. PJSC Sovcomflot is involved in servicing major oil and gas projects in russia: Sakhalin-1, Sakhalin-2, Varandey, Prirazlomnoye, Novy Port, Yamal LNG and others. On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel as a property in which Fornax Ship Management FZCO has an interest. From July 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions on a tanker for transporting crude oil/petroleum products that originate in russia or are exported from russia using irregular and high-risk shipping practices as set out in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly resolution A.1192 (33). On August 12, 2025, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel. Since September 12, 2025, the United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is affiliated with the sanctioned companies Fornax Ship Management FZCO, Sun Ship Management, Oil Tankers Scf Mgmt FZCO, affiliated with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia that services and supports offshore hydrocarbon production and transportation of russian crude oil, oil products, and liquefied gas. The major charterers of PJSC Sovcomflot's vessels are russia's largest oil and gas companies and traders. PJSC Sovcomflot is involved in servicing major oil and gas projects in russia: Sakhalin-1, Sakhalin-2, Varandey, Prirazlomnoye, Novy Port, Yamal LNG and others. Prior to russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the company's fleet consisted of about 145 vessels. After the sanctions were imposed, Sovcomflot transferred dozens of vessels to the ownership of companies it had set up, including in foreign jurisdictions, in order to circumvent them, and began the practice of constantly "juggling" (transferring) vessels to related companies. On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel as a property in which Fornax Ship Management FZCO has an interest. Since September 12, 2025, the United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker transports sanctioned Iranian oil in the interests of the sanctioned Sepehr Energy Jahan Nama Pars, which is controlled by the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces (AFGS). In particular, in December 2024, Sepehr Energy transported almost 2 million barrels of Iranian oil worth more than $100 million by OXIS. The tanker is affiliated with the Kazakhstani company Umbra Navi Shipmanagement Corp, which was sanctioned by USA on January 10, 2025. On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel. Since September 12, 2025, the United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is engaged in the transportation of sanctioned Iranian and russian crude oil/oil products using deceptive, high-risk practices. The vessel called at a russian port, where the price of oil was constantly trading above the upper limit of the price-cap for russian crude oil/oil products. The international public organization Greenpeace refers to the tanker as a shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment. According to United Against Nuclear Iran, the tanker is involved in the transportation of sanctioned Iranian oil and, after Western sanctions were imposed, switched to the transportation of sanctioned russian oil. Until October 2021, the vessel was affiliated through a number of companies, including the sanctioned Sun Ship Management, with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia for servicing and supporting offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian crude oil, oil products, and liquefied gas. The main charterers of PJSC Sovcomflot's vessels are russia's largest oil and gas companies and traders. PJSC Sovcomflot is involved in servicing major oil and gas projects in russia: Sakhalin-1, Sakhalin-2, Varandey, Prirazlomnoye, Novy Port, Yamal LNG and others. The tanker is associated with Odine Marine Incorporated, the former owner of the vessel, which was sanctioned by USA on January 10, 2025 for its activities in the energy sector of the russian economy. On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on a vessel considered to be part of the shadow fleet as a property in which Odine Marine Incorporated has an interest. Since September 12, 2025, the United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

A tanker is involved in the transportation of sanctioned Iranian oil. The vessel is affiliated with the Vietnamese company Sao Viet Petrol Transportation Company Limited, which was sanctioned by USA on January 10, 2025 for its activities in the energy sector of the russian economy. On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel as a property in which Sao Viet Petrol Transportation Company Limited has an interest. Since September 12, 2025, the United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is involved in STS transfers at anchorages off Malaysia, Qingdao from tankers carrying sanctioned Iranian or Venezuelan oil. The tanker resorts to disabling the automatic identification system, a behavioral pattern that indicates that the tanker is trying to avoid detection of the STS transfer. The VLCC was purchased from DHT Tankers and is affiliated with an anonymous Chinese buyer who spent about $376 million to acquire a group of 13 tankers for the high-risk transportation of crude oil of russian origin in the Atlantic Ocean. These 13 tankers include five Aframax vessels, seven very large crude oil carriers and one Suezmax vessel. According to Lloyd's List Intelligence, these vessels were purchased by an anonymous buyer through 20 separate but interconnected single-ship offshore companies from Hong Kong and China. Subsequently, all but one of the tankers were engaged in transshipment of cargoes in the established high-risk transshipment hub for russian crude oil for consolidation of cargoes in the area 860 nautical miles west of Portugal, in international waters. The registered owners, commercial managers, and ISM manager are characterized by an almost identical registration address in Dalian (PRC), and the same two addresses in Hong Kong. This group of tankers is considered to be the center of a fully operational mid-Atlantic transshipment hub for russian crude oil to China. Logistics STS hubs allow to conceal the ownership and origin of cargo. In addition to the Mid-Atlantic hub, transshipment centers include areas near Kalamata, Greece, Malta, Ceuta, and the Caucasus, where STS operations for russian crude oil have been established. The tanker, believed to be part of the shadow fleet, is affiliated with SUNNE CO LIMITED, which was sanctioned by USA on January 10, 2025 for its activities in the energy sector of the russian federation. On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel as a property in which SUNNE CO LIMITED has an interest. Since September 12, 2025, the United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

According to United Against Nuclear Iran, the vessel was involved in the transportation of sanctioned Iranian oil and switched to the transportation of sanctioned russian oil. The Lauren II transports crude oil loaded by other tankers from ship to ship from the russian port of Primorsk in the Baltic Sea. In particular, the Lauren II was tracked while loading a cargo of crude oil by means of a ship-to-ship transfer from the tanker Zhen I (IMO 9255880). The VLCC tanker was purchased from DHT Tankers and is affiliated with an anonymous Chinese buyer who spent about $376 million to acquire a group of 13 tankers for the high-risk transportation of russian-origin crude oil in the Atlantic Ocean. These 13 tankers include five Aframax vessels, seven very large crude oil carriers and one Suezmax vessel. According to Lloyd's List Intelligence, these vessels were purchased by an anonymous buyer through 20 separate but interconnected single-ship offshore companies from Hong Kong and China. Subsequently, all but one of the tankers were engaged in transshipment of cargoes in the established high-risk transshipment hub for russian crude oil for consolidation of cargoes in the area 860 nautical miles west of Portugal, in international waters. The registered owners, commercial managers, and ISM manager are characterized by an almost identical registration address in Dalian (PRC), and the same two addresses in Hong Kong. This group of tankers is considered to be the center of a fully operational mid-Atlantic transshipment hub for russian crude oil to China. Logistics STS hubs allow to conceal the ownership and origin of cargo. In addition to the Mid-Atlantic hub, transshipment centers include areas near Kalamata, Greece, Malta, Ceuta, and the Caucasus, where STS operations for russian crude oil have been established. The tanker, believed to be part of the shadow fleet, is affiliated with SUNNE CO LIMITED, which was sanctioned by USA on January 10, 2025 for its activities in the energy sector of the russian federation. On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel as a property in which SUNNE CO LIMITED has an interest. Since September 12, 2025, the United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on the vessel.