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more than 100 million tons (approximately 17% of the world`s oil tanker fleet) consists of more than a thousand mostly outdated, poorly maintained vessels without proper insurance, with ‘confusing’ ownership and management structures located in ‘friendly’ jurisdictions, under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
ELZA
Vessel name
ELZA
IMO
9221671
Flag (Current)
unknown
Vessel Type
Crude Oil Tanker
Category
Transportation of fossil fuels in violation of sanctions and other restrictions
icon arrow-tree Transportation of Iranian crude oil / petroleum products
The vessel participated in the transfer of hundreds of thousands of barrels of condensate from a vessel of the sanctioned National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC), and also carried out an STS transfer with an NITC vessel near Singapore for the transportation of tens of thousands of metric tons of condensate from the South Pars field (the world's largest natural gas condensate field located in the Persian Gulf, owned by Iran and Qatar).
The National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) is a subsidiary of the sanctioned National Iranian Oil Company, which is controlled by the Iranian Ministry of Oil. The National Iranian Tanker Company is responsible for the transportation of Iranian crude oil intended for export, plays a significant role in oil deals that are used to generate profits for the IRGC-QF (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) and Hizballah (Hezbollah).
On October 11, 2024, as part of the expansion of sanctions against Iran's oil/petrochemical sector, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel as a property in which Elza Shipping SA, which was also sanctioned by USA on October 11, 2024, has an interest.
According to GISIS ІМО data as of July 15, 2025, the vessel's registered name is ELZA, flag is unknown. At the same time, the vessel sails under the name ESTEGHLAL, the flag of Curacao.
View profile
WEN YAO
Vessel name
WEN YAO
IMO
9288095
Flag (Current)
unknown
Vessel Type
Crude Oil Tanker
Category
Transportation of fossil fuels in violation of sanctions and other restrictions
icon arrow-tree Transportation of Iranian crude oil / petroleum products
The tanker is affiliated with Harry Victor Ship Management and Operation LLC (UAE), which was sanctioned by USA on October 11, 2024 due to the company's participation in the supply of Iranian oil/oil products in the interests of Triliance Petrochemical Co. Ltd, a broker operating in Iran, China, UAE and Germany and sanctioned by USA for its assistance to the sanctioned National Iranian Oil Company.
Many tankers involved in transporting Iranian oil to countries such as China are also involved in Venezuelan trade, including tanker IMO 9288095. On June 11, 2022, Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi signed a 20-year cooperation agreement to expand ties in the oil and petrochemical industries, as well as in the military and economic spheres. Since then, bilateral ties have begun to develop. Most cargo is transported by ships belonging to the sanctioned National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) in both directions. A significant number of ships flying under foreign (non-Iranian) flags are also involved in this trade.
On October 11, 2024, USA imposed sanctions on the tanker as a property in which Harry Victor Ship Management and Operation LLC has an interest.
According to GISIS IMO data as of July 15, 2025, the vessel's registered name is WEN YAO, the flag is designated as "San Marino False". At the same time, the vessel is sailing under the name LAN JING, the flag of Curacao.
View profile
VERA
Vessel name
VERA
IMO
9304655
Flag (Current)
unknown
Vessel Type
Crude Oil Tanker
Category
Transportation of fossil fuels in violation of sanctions and other restrictions
icon arrow-tree Transportation of Iranian crude oil / petroleum products
The vessel is involved in the transportation of Iranian crude oil via STS using vessels affiliated with the sanctioned National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC), a subsidiary of the sanctioned National Iranian Oil Company, which is controlled by the Iranian Ministry of Oil. The National Iranian Tanker Company is responsible for the transportation of Iranian crude oil intended for export, and plays a significant role in oil deals that are used to generate profits for the IRGC-QF (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) and Hizballah (Hezbollah).
On October 11, 2024, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel as property in which the sanctioned company Max Maritime Solutions FZE has an interest.
Many tankers involved in transporting Iranian oil to countries such as China are also involved in Venezuelan trade, including tanker IMO 9304655. On June 11, 2022, Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi signed a 20-year cooperation agreement to expand ties in the oil and petrochemical industries, as well as in the military and economic spheres. Since then, bilateral ties have begun to develop. Most cargo is transported by ships belonging to the sanctioned National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) in both directions. A significant number of ships flying under foreign (non-Iranian) flags are also involved in this trade.
View profile
To top