Shadow Fleet

Marine vessels involved in the transportation of sanctioned oil
Total number:
1488
Marine vessels
545
Masters
Updated: 10.10.2026
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more than 100 million tons (approximately 17% of the world`s oil tanker fleet) consists of more than a thousand mostly outdated, poorly maintained vessels without proper insurance, with ‘confusing’ ownership and management structures located in ‘friendly’ jurisdictions, under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: 91 022 тис.тоннTotal: 896
GOGLAND
Vessel name
GOGLAND
IMO
9430210
Flag (Current)
Cameroon Cameroon
Vessel Type
Chemical/Oil Products Tanker
Category
Cargo transportation from/to ТОТ of Ukraine
icon arrow-tree Calling ports of the TOT
During the period of the G7, EU oil embargo, price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, the tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Baltic, Black, and Azov Seas, and calls at ports in the TOT of Crimea of Ukraine, including in February 2025. The tanker, including in 2025, is actively engaged in long-term dark activities in the Kerch Strait, TOT Crimea of Ukraine, while the vessel does not make calls to ports in the area.
The tanker is operated by the russian company Staxel LLC (TIN 6317116809), which acted as the carrier for the Volgoneft-212 tanker that sank in the Kerch Strait in December 2024 when it was loaded with russian fuel oil, leading to an environmental disaster due to an oil spill.
On June 17, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker in connection with the carrying crude oil/petroleum products that originated in russia from russia to a third countries.
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 December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 21, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of the vessel.
On February 19, 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
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SPHERE
Vessel name
SPHERE
IMO
9323974
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 during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products using high-risk practices (STS transfers with tankers of the russian shadow fleet (in April 2025 with tanker IMO 9419151, in January, February 2025 with tanker IMO 9258026), including with sanctioned vessels (in May, June 2025 with tankers IMO 9198290, IMO 9290517), in particular near Egypt).
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.
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.
On February 19, 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
The tanker has been flying the russian flag since July 2026.
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BLUE EMBER
Vessel name
BLUE EMBER
IMO
9273442
Flag (Current)
Sao Tome and Principe Sao Tome and Principe
Vessel Type
Oil Products 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 and EU oil embargo, the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products, and resorts to deceptive, high-risk practices (disabling AIS, conducting dark activities near the russian port of Ust-Luga, conducting STS transmissions with sanctioned tankers, in particular with tanker IMO 9253909 in June 2025 near Sudan/South Sudan).
The tanker is affiliated with the Turkish company Beks Tanker Isletmeciligi AS, which was the commercial and ISM manager of the vessel from May 2023 to March 2024. Beks Tanker Isletmeciligi AS is one of the top three ranking Turkish operators, which in 2023 provided transportation of hundreds of millions of barrels of russian crude oil and petroleum products. The fleet of the Turkish top three - Beks Tanker Isletmeciligi AS and the sanctioned Beks Gemi Isletmeciligi ve Tic and Active Denizcilik ve Gemi - transported a total of 49 million barrels of russian crude oil/petroleum products in 2023. Since March 2024, the tankers have been managed by the Turkish companies Sand Gemi Isletmeciligi AS and Cape Gemi Isletmeciligi AS, which share a common address with Tokyo Gemi Isletmeciligi AS. Eight tankers of these Turkish companies were operated by Beks Tanker Isletmeciligi AS in 2023 and early 2024, and one by the sanctioned Beks Gemi Isletmeciligi ve Tic.
In April 2025, the owner and managers of the vessel changed. The owner of the vessel became BLUE MARITIME SERVICES & TRDG, and the commercial manager became EMT Gemi Isletmeciligi AS (Turkey). EMT Gemi Isletmeciligi AS operates a fleet of 11 sub-sanctioned oil tankers.
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.
Since October 24, 2025, the EU has de-listed the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Switzerland has de-listed the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 19, 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
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MANTA
Vessel name
MANTA
IMO
9424651
Flag (Current)
Sierra Leone Sierra Leone
Vessel Type
Oil Products 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 oil embargo and the G7+ countries’ price cap policy on russian oil and petroleum products, the tanker is involved in the export of russian petroleum products from the ports of Ust-Luga, Vysotsk, Novorossiysk, and Tuapse to Turkey, Libya, and Morocco.
In September 2024, ISM management of the tanker was transferred to Maritime Mavens LLC (Azerbaijan) from the Moldovan company BPC Shipmanagement SRL. 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/petroleum 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 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, Navigenix Shipmanagement LLC, Nautilus Fleet Management LLC, Harbor Harmony Shipmanagement, and others.
Since May 21, 2025, the EU has imposed sanctions on the tanker for transporting crude oil or petroleum products originating in or exported from russia, using irregular and high-risk shipping practices, as specified in International Maritime Organization General Assembly Resolution A.1192(33).
Since 3 June 2025, Switzerland has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On 21 July 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker.
As of December 13, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 21, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the tanker’s captain.
On February 19, 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Additionally, during the fuel crisis, the tanker is involved in supplying petroleum products to the russian federation. In mid-August 2026, the tanker IMO 9424651, under the command of master Vyacheslav Aleksandrovich Oblyadruk (russian citizen), delivered nearly 37,000 metric tons of gasoline from the Turkish port of Mersin to the Vitino oil terminal at the port of Kandalaksha. The russian company Sea Agency Infloat LLC (Murmansk) was involved in the gasoline import operation carried out by this tanker.
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IRTYSH RIVER
Vessel name
IRTYSH RIVER
IMO
9435375
Flag (Current)
russian federation russian federation
Vessel Type
Chemical/Oil Products Tanker
Category
Cargo transportation from/to ТОТ of Ukraine
icon arrow-tree Calling ports of the TOT
The tanker during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products.
The tanker calls at ports in the TOT Crimea of Ukraine.
The tanker is affiliated with the russian company Eneya LLC (TIN 6164136080). Eneya LLC is affiliated with the sanctioned Jamaldin Pashayev and is involved in covert supplies to Syria in the interests of the russian Ministry of Defense (in particular, aviation fuel). Since October 2024, the General Director of Enea LLC has been Magomed Aliyevich Abdulatipov (TIN 053689064586), who for a long period of time before October 2024 was the head of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "Administration of the Caspian Sea Ports". Jamaldin Pashayev's enterprises have been involved in russian military exports since 2021 and have concluded more than 200 agreements on the sea transportation of military cargo around the world. Jamaldin Pashayev and his companies have been an integral part of the ongoing transfer of lethal aid to the sanctioned russian company SEZ Alabuga, which is one of the main UAV assembly plants for the russian Ministry of Defense with the support of Iran. Jamaldin Pashayev is affiliated with the sanctioned shipping company MG-Flot LLC, whose fleet is involved in the transportation of weapons from Syria, Iran, North Korea to russia, as well as Iranian oil.
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.
Since May 2025, the ship has been operating routes between russia and Iran via the Caspian Sea.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 21, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of the vessel.
On February 19, 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
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CROCO
Vessel name
CROCO
IMO
9327360
Flag (Current)
russian federation russian federation
Vessel Type
Chemical/Oil Products 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 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products.
The tanker calls at the russian terminal Sheskharis, which is a transshipment complex and the end point of the main pipelines of JSC Chernomortransneft (TIN 2315072242, under USA sanctions) — a subsidiary of the sanctioned russian company Transneft (TIN 7706061801).
In November and December 2023, the tanker, ordered by Tupras Turkiye Petrol Rafinerileri A.S., was involved in the export of several batches of oil products from the russian port of Tuapse, with the sanctioned PJSC Oil Company Rosneft as the consignor. Also, in January 2024, by order of Tejarinaft FZCO (UAE), the vessel was involved in the export of a batch of oil products from the russian port of Tuapse, the consignor was Amur Trading FZCO (UAE). There is a production complex in Tuapse belonging to the sanctioned PJSC Oil Company Rosneft - Tuapse Oil Refinery with a marine terminal.
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.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 19, 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
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NIMBUS SPB
Vessel name
NIMBUS SPB
IMO
8821761
Flag (Current)
russian federation russian federation
Vessel Type
Oil Products Tanker
Category
Transportation of fossil fuels in violation of sanctions and other restrictions
icon arrow-tree Transporting russian crude oil / petroleum products
The vessel is involved in bunkering sanctioned tankers of the russian shadow fleet that facilitate the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products, particularly from russian ports on the Baltic Sea.
The tanker is affiliated with PJSC "Lukoil" through its subsidiary, Lukoil-Bunker LLC (currently in liquidation; its legal successor is Lukoil-Marinebunker LLC (TIN 9705083098)).
The main activities of Lukoil-Marinebunker LLC include the sale of petroleum products (marine fuels), including through transshipment, bunkering, blending, and the wholesale trade in fuels and lubricants. The company owns oil tankers designed to transport petroleum products and perform loading and unloading operations (bunkering, transshipment). For day-to-day operation and maintenance, the vessels have been transferred to a separate specialized organization, Sea Engineering LLC (TIN 7804180500), under bareboat charter agreements.
As of early September 2026, Lukoil-Marinebunkers LLC is sanctioned by the EU, and Sea Engineering LLC is sanctioned by the EU and Switzerland.
On 20 May 2025, the European Union imposed sanctions on the tanker, effective 21 May 2025, for transporting crude oil or petroleum products originating in or exported from russia, using irregular high-risk shipping practices as defined in International Maritime Organization (IMO) Assembly Resolution A.1192(33).
On 3 June 2025, sanctions imposed by Switzerland on the vessel entered into force.
On 21 July 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 19, 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
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