Shadow Fleet

Marine vessels involved in the transportation of sanctioned oil
Total number:
1488
Marine vessels
545
Masters
Updated: 23.09.2026
The shadow tanker fleet transports growing volumes of sanctioned oil around the world, generates billions of dollars in revenue for russia and Iran, threatens environmental safety in the oceans, serves as a spy platform, and is used for sabotage activities in the interests of the aggressor.
The sanctioned countries are looking for new markets for oil, building up their tanker fleet to circumvent restrictions, and shipping crude oil mainly to China and India.
The shadow tanker fleet with a total deadweight of more than 100 million tons (approximately 17% of the world`s oil tanker fleet) consists of more than a thousand mostly outdated, poorly maintained vessels without proper insurance, with ‘confusing’ ownership and management structures located in ‘friendly’ jurisdictions, under ‘convenient’ flags. Such vessels resort to deceptive tactics at sea to conceal the origin of their cargo, threaten ‘environmental chaos’ and billions of dollars in losses to coastal countries by passing through busy, narrow international transportation routes without pilotage. Since the beginning of russia`s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, shadow tankers have already been involved in more than 50 incidents from the Danish Straits to Malaysia.
 
 
 
 
Category
Sanctions
 
 
DWT: 69 995 тис.тоннTotal: 770
LABRADOR
Vessel name
LABRADOR
IMO
9274800
Flag (Current)
russian federation russian federation
Vessel Type
Crude Oil Tanker
Category
Transportation of fossil fuels in violation of sanctions and other restrictions
icon arrow-tree Transporting russian crude oil / petroleum products
During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price-cap policy on russian oil, the tanker is involved in the export of russian oil to third countries from russian ports, including with the AIS signal turned off.
The vessel is affiliated with the ISM manager - the Indian company Bravo Marine PVT LTD, which manages the security of another shadow fleet tanker LI BAI (IMO 9589750) involved in the export of russian oil.
The tanker is also affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management as the former commercial and ISM manager of the vessel from December 2022 to April 2023.
Gatik Ship Management is considered to be one of the leading operators of the so-called 'shadow' fleet involved in the transportation of russian crude oil under Western sanctions.
Tankers operated/managed by India's Gatik Ship Management continue to be used by related companies and call at russian ports.
On February 24, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On April 11, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of the tanker IMO 9274800.
In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In June 2025, Australia imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since October 24, 2025, the EU has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since October 30, 2025, New Zealand has imposed sanctions on the tanker.
Since December 13, 2025, Switzerland has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
The tanker has been flying the russian flag since August 2026.
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KHRIZOLIT
Vessel name
KHRIZOLIT
IMO
9346720
Flag (Current)
russian federation russian federation
Vessel Type
Crude Oil Tanker
Category
Transportation of fossil fuels in violation of sanctions and other restrictions
icon arrow-tree Transporting russian crude oil / petroleum products
The tanker is involved in the export of sanctioned russian oil from russian ports in the Baltic Sea to India and other third countries, including with the AIS turned off.
Specifically, in June 2026, the tanker exported more than 770,000 barrels of Urals crude oil from the port of Primorsk; the cargo’s destination was India, and the seller of the russian liquid cargo was Redwood Global Supply FZ-LLC. Redwood Global Supply FZ-LLC is the largest exporter of russian crude oil within the shadow network of russian oil traders — the "2Rivers Group" (Coral Energy). Key roles in this network are played by several azerbaijani traders: Tahir Garayev, Etibar Eyyub, Talat Safarov, and Ahmed Kerimov.
The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of a shadow fleet of tankers that transport russian oil around the world through the Baltic Sea, the Kadetsky Canal area in the Bay of Mecklenburg and threaten the environment.
Since June 2023, the Arfamax has been owned by an unknown company, Eastern Shipping Inc (Seychelles), whose fleet consists only of the tanker KIRA K, before that the vessel belonged to a Greek company. The vessel is certified by the China Classification Society (IACS).
According to the Lloyds List analytical center, the tanker is often used for STS transmissions.
On February 24, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In June 2025, Australia imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since July 20, 2025, the EU has 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 October 30, 2025, New Zealand has imposed sanctions on the tanker.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 21, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of the vessel.
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DASHAN
Vessel name
DASHAN
IMO
9299666
Flag (Current)
unknown
Vessel Type
Crude Oil Tanker
Category
Transportation of fossil fuels in violation of sanctions and other restrictions
icon arrow-tree Transporting russian crude oil / petroleum products
During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo on russian oil since 2024, the tanker has been involved in exporting russian oil to third countries from russian ports in the Baltic Sea, conducting dark activities at sea with the AIS signal turned off.
The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of a shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment.
The vessel is affiliated with Caishan Ship Management, an Indian company associated with 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. Caishan Ship Management is one of a number of Indian companies that in 2023 were involved in a scheme to 'juggle' shadow fleet vessels operated by Gatik Ship Management in order to avoid Western sanctions. Caishan Ship Management was the vessel's safety management manager in January-March 2024.
On December 16, 2024, the EU imposed sanctions on the tanker (effective from December 17, 2024) due to the transportation of crude oil or petroleum products originating in or exported from russia, using irregular high-risk shipping practices as set out in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly Resolution A.1192(33).
On December 17, 2024, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on a vessel in connection with the transportation of oil or oil products originating in russia or from russia to a third country.
On December 23, 2024, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel in connection with the transportation of crude oil or petroleum products originating in or exported from russia, using irregular and risky shipping practices, as set out in the resolution of the General Assembly of the International Maritime Organization A.1192(33).
On February 21, 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In June 2025, Australia imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since October 30, 2025, New Zealand has imposed sanctions on the tanker.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 21, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of the vessel.
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SONATA
Vessel name
SONATA
IMO
9524463
Flag (Current)
russian federation russian federation
Vessel Type
Crude Oil Tanker
Category
Transportation of fossil fuels in violation of sanctions and other restrictions
icon arrow-tree Transporting russian crude oil / petroleum products
During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price-cap policy on russian oil, the tanker is involved in the export of oil to third countries from russian ports in the Baltic, Black seas and the Pacific region, and resorts to the practice of turning off the AIS signal, conducting so-called 'dark activities' at sea. The tanker is certified by the Indian Register of Shipping (IACS).
The tanker is managed by Prominent Shipmanagement LTD, established in 2022 in Hong Kong. Prominent is headed by Arjun Deshmukh, who worked for FESCO Wallem Shipmanagement, a joint venture between a russian company and Hong Kong's oldest ship manager. Prominent Shipmanagement LTD took over all the tankers operated by Dubai-based K&O Shipmanagement FZE, an affiliate of the sanctioned russian company Sovcomflot, and the vessels were included in the Indian Register of Shipping (the classification society with the largest market share of the so-called shadow fleet).
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since May 21 and June 3, 2025, the EU and Switzerland, respectively, have imposed sanctions on the vessel for transporting crude oil/petroleum products originating in or exported from rRussia, using irregular shipping practices with a high degree of risk, as specified in Resolution A.1192(33) of the General Assembly of the International Maritime Organization.
On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In August 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the tanker's master.
In November 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
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STRATEG
Vessel name
STRATEG
IMO
9589750
Flag (Current)
russian federation russian federation
Vessel Type
Crude Oil Tanker
Category
Transportation of fossil fuels in violation of sanctions and other restrictions
icon arrow-tree Transporting russian crude oil / petroleum products
During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price-cap policy on russian oil, the tanker has been involved in the export of russian oil to third countries from russian ports, including with the AIS signal turned off.
The vessel is affiliated with the ISM manager, the Indian company BRAVO MARINE PVT LTD, which manages the security of another tanker IMO 9274800, which is a member of the shadow fleet involved in the export of russian oil and is 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.
The shadow fleet of the russian federation continues to provide multibillion-dollar revenues for the kremlin bypassing sanctions, disguising its activities under the flags of third countries, using complex schemes to conceal owners, and poses significant environmental threats with significant economic costs to coastal countries and/or the international community due to the outdated and inadequate insurance of shadow fleet tankers.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On May 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions, which will enter into force on May 21, 2025, 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).
On June 03, 2025, the sanctions imposed by Switzerland on the vessel came into force.
On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In August 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the tanker's master.
In November 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
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FIESTA
Vessel name
FIESTA
IMO
9260823
Flag (Current)
Sierra Leone Sierra Leone
Vessel Type
Crude Oil Tanker
Category
Transportation of fossil fuels in violation of sanctions and other restrictions
icon arrow-tree Transporting russian crude oil / petroleum products
During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price-cap policy on russian oil, the tanker is involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports in the Baltic, Black Seas and the Pacific region, mainly to China and India.
The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of the shadow fleet of tankers that transport russian oil around the world and threaten the environment.
The vessel's ISM-management was carried out by Light Navigation LLC (Azerbaijan) from July to December 2024. The said company was the ISM manager of another tanker, IMO 9250892, which was classified by the International NGO Greenpeace as part of the shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment.
On May 09, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker as part of the restrictions on the shadow fleet of the russian federation, including for engaging in activities aimed at destabilizing Ukraine, undermining/threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine or benefiting from or supporting the government of russia, and participating in the transportation of crude oil/petroleum products of russian origin, in particular, from russia to a third country.
In June 2025, Canada 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 18, 2025, Australia has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 21, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of the vessel.
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MAKALU
Vessel name
MAKALU
IMO
9314105
Flag (Current)
Equatorial Guinea Equatorial Guinea
Vessel Type
Crude Oil Tanker
Category
Transportation of fossil fuels in violation of sanctions and other restrictions
icon arrow-tree Transporting russian crude oil / petroleum products
The tanker in the period of the G7, EU oil embargo and price-cap policy on russian oil has been involved in the export of russian oil since May 2023, in particular, in May 2023, in violation of the embargo, it transported russian oil from a russian port in the Black Sea to the EU countries (Laconikos Gulf, Greece), and is engaged in dark activities at sea.
The tanker is affiliated with Ost Shipmanagement SRL (Moldova), a company (former ship manager) that manages tankers that help russia transport crude oil under Western sanctions. RLRISE Moldova, a community of investigative journalists, programmers and activists from the Republic of Moldova and Romania, attributes the tanker to the shadow fleet involved in the export of russian oil.
The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of the shadow fleet of tankers that transport russian oil around the world and threaten the environment.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On May 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions, which will enter into force on May 21, 2025, 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).
On June 03, 2025, the sanctions imposed by Switzerland on the vessel came into force.
On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In August 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the tanker's master.
In November 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
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MERU
Vessel name
MERU
IMO
9187227
Flag (Current)
Equatorial Guinea Equatorial Guinea
Vessel Type
Crude Oil Tanker
Category
Transportation of fossil fuels in violation of sanctions and other restrictions
icon arrow-tree Transporting russian crude oil / petroleum products
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 and in dark activities at sea.
The international non-governmental organization Greenpeace refers to the tanker as a shadowy fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment.
According to the USA-based human rights group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), which monitors Iran-related tanker traffic using satellite data, the vessel was involved in the transportation of Iranian oil and switched to transporting russian oil in July 2023. Since the beginning of russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, more than 100 vessels that previously helped Tehran export Iranian export oil are now helping russia transport russian oil/oil products. In May 2022, UANI first predicted that russia would turn to the 'ghost armada' to ensure oil flows to its Chinese partner.
Shadow fleet of russia continues to generate multibillion-dollar revenues for the kremlin bypassing sanctions, disguising its activities under the flags of third countries, using complex schemes to conceal owners, and poses significant environmental threats with significant economic costs to coastal countries and/or the international community due to the outdated and inadequate insurance of shadow fleet tankers.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On May 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions, which enter into force on May 21, 2025, 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).
On June 03, 2025, the sanctions imposed by Switzerland on the vessel came into force.
On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In August 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the tanker's master.
In November 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
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DENEB
Vessel name
DENEB
IMO
9301524
Flag (Current)
Sierra Leone Sierra Leone
Vessel Type
Crude Oil Tanker
Category
Transportation of fossil fuels in violation of sanctions and other restrictions
icon arrow-tree Transporting russian crude oil / petroleum products
During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price-cap policy on russian crude oil, the tanker is involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports in the Pacific region, in the Black Sea, mainly to China and Turkey.
According to the data of United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), which monitors Iranian-related tanker traffic using satellite data, the vessel was involved in the transportation of Iranian oil and switched to transporting russian oil. Since the beginning of russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, more than 100 vessels that previously helped Tehran export Iranian export oil are now helping russia transport russian oil/oil products.
The international public organization Greenpeace refers to the tanker as a shadowy fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment.
The shadow fleet of russia continues to generate multibillion-dollar revenues for the kremlin bypassing sanctions, disguising its activities under the flags of third countries, using complex schemes to conceal owners, and poses significant environmental threats with significant economic costs to coastal countries and/or the international community due to the outdated and inadequate insurance of shadow fleet tankers.
On May 09, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker as part of the restrictions on the russian shadow fleet.
In June 2025, Canada 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 18, 2025, Australia has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since October 30, 2025, New Zealand has imposed sanctions on the tanker.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 21, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of the vessel.
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NELSA
Vessel name
NELSA
IMO
9408205
Flag (Current)
Cameroon Cameroon
Vessel Type
Crude Oil Tanker
Category
Transportation of fossil fuels in violation of sanctions and other restrictions
icon arrow-tree Transporting russian crude oil / petroleum products
During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian oil, the tanker is involved in the export of oil to third countries from russian ports in the Black Sea, and resorts to the practice of turning off the AIS signal, conducting so-called 'dark activities'.
The vessel is affiliated with a sanctioned company One Moon Marine Services LLC (UAE) with a non-transparent organizational and ownership structure. One Moon Marine Services LLC is involved in a network of companies to which the leading operators of the shadow fleet in 2023 'registered' tankers transporting russian oil (oil products). The constant change of owners and managers of vessels to avoid sanctions and conceal the true beneficiaries of the vessels is a typical phenomenon for the so-called 'shadow' fleet involved in the russian oil and oil products trade.
The shadow tanker fleet continues to generate multibillion-dollar revenues for the kremlin by circumventing sanctions by disguising its activities under third-country flags, using complex schemes to conceal owners, and poses significant environmental safety hazards with significant economic costs to coastal countries and/or the international community due to the outdated and inadequately insured shadow fleet tankers.
On December 17, 2024, United Kingdom imposed sanctions on a vessel in connection with the transportation of oil or oil products originating in russia or from russia to a third country.
On February 21, 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since May 21 and June 3, 2025, the EU and Switzerland, respectively, have imposed sanctions on the vessel for transporting crude oil/petroleum products originating in or exported from rRussia, using irregular shipping practices with a high degree of risk, as specified in Resolution A.1192(33) of the General Assembly of the International Maritime Organization.
In June 2025, Australia imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since September 12, 2025, New Zealand has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 21, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of the vessel.
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