Shadow Fleet

During the period of the oil embargo and the G7+ countries’ price cap policy on russian crude oil and petroleum products, the tanker is engaged in providing bunkering services to marine vessels that, as of July 24, 2026, are subject to EU sanctions, among others.
Since July 24, 2026, the EU has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker belongs to the fleet of the russian company Kontur SPB LLC (TIN 7810220078), which, as of September 2026, is subject to sanctions imposed by the EU and Switzerland. Kontur SPB LLC is involved in supplying the russian Ministry of Defense under government contracts. Kontur SPB LLC is an operator of a bunkering, environmental, and emergency rescue fleet; since 2003, it has been providing services in the Port of St. Petersburg, including vessel bunkering, the transportation of petroleum products via russia’s inland waterways, shipping agency services, and others.
Since July 24, 2026, the EU has imposed sanctions on the vessel for transporting crude oil, petroleum products, or mineral products originating in or exported from russia, and for engaging in deceptive and high-risk shipping practices as defined in Resolution A.1192 (33) of the General Assembly of the International Maritime Organization.

The bunker tanker belongs to the fleet of the Russian company Transbunker-Novo LLC (TIN 2315093010), which, as of September 2026, is subject to sanctions imposed by the EU and Switzerland.
Transbunker-Novo LLC is a bunkering company that was registered in December 2001 in Novorossiysk and is engaged in the wholesale trade of fuel, as well as the refueling of vessels. The company is part of the "Transbunker" group of companies, which, in July 2026, was transferred to the ownership of the Russian Federation by a court ruling following a lawsuit filed by the General Prosecutor’s Office of the Russian Federation. As of July 2026, the company is the technical manager of vessel IMO 8728218, as well as the bunkering tankers IMO 9037795 and IMO 8724793. These vessels lack proper civil liability insurance and tamper with automatic identification systems, and engage in ship-to-ship transfers while transporting crude oil or petroleum products exported from Russia.
Since July 24, 2026, the EU has imposed sanctions on the vessel for transporting crude oil/petroleum products originating in or exported from russia, 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.

The Arc4-class icebreaker (home port: Murmansk) is being deployed by russia on Arctic routes.
As of July 24, 2026, the EU has 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.

During the period when the G7+ oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil and petroleum products are in effect, the tanker is involved in the export of russian petroleum products.
Since July 24, 2026, the EU has imposed sanctions on the vessel for transporting crude oil, petroleum products, or mineral products originating in or exported from russia, and for practicing irregular and high-risk shipping practices as set out in the International Maritime Organisation General Assembly resolution A.1192(33).

During the period when the G7+ oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil and petroleum products are in effect, the tanker is involved in the export of russian petroleum products.
Since July 24, 2026, the EU has imposed sanctions on the vessel for transporting crude oil, petroleum products, or mineral products originating in or exported from russia, and for practicing irregular and high-risk shipping practices as set out in the International Maritime Organisation General Assembly resolution A.1192(33).

During the period when the G7+ oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil and petroleum products are in effect, the tanker is involved in the export of russian petroleum products.
Since July 24, 2026, the EU has imposed sanctions on the vessel for transporting crude oil, petroleum products, or mineral products originating in or exported from russia, and for practicing irregular and high-risk shipping practices as set out in the International Maritime Organisation General Assembly resolution A.1192(33).

The tanker is engaged in the domestic transshipment of russian petroleum products between the ports of Ust-Luga, St. Petersburg, and Bronka on behalf of PJSC "Novatek," PJSC "Rosneft Oil Company," and PJSC "Sibur Holding".
Since July 24, 2026, the EU has imposed sanctions on the vessel for transporting crude oil, petroleum products, or mineral products originating in or exported from russia, and for practicing irregular and high-risk shipping practices as set out in the International Maritime Organisation General Assembly resolution A.1192(33).

The tanker, during the period of the oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil and petroleum products, is involved in the export of russian crude oil from russian ports on the Black Sea and in the Pacific region to India and China in the interests of the largest russian oil companies.
Specifically, in May 2025, the tanker exported russian ESPO crude from the port of Kozmino to India (Paradip) in the interests of PJSC Oil Company "Rosneft" and PJSC "Surgutneftegaz" . In June 2025, the vessel exported russian ESPO crude from the port of Kozmino to India (Paradip) in the interests of PJSC Oil Company "Rosneft".
In January 2026, the tanker transported russian ESPO crude oil from the port of Kozmino to China in the interests of Redwood Global Supply FZ-LLC (UAE), which was sanctioned by the United Kingdom on December 18, 2025, for activities in the energy sector of the russian economy. 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.
In February 2026, the vessel exported russian ESPO crude oil from the port of Kozmino to China in the interests of PJSC Oil Company "Rosneft" and PJSC "Surgutneftegaz".
In August and September 2025, the tanker exported russian crude oil from the russian Black Sea port to India in the interests of PJSC Lukoil.
On February 12, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since July 24, 2026, the EU has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The vessel is involved in the transportation of Iranian crude oil/petroleum products. Many tankers involved in transporting Iranian oil to countries such as China are also involved in Venezuelan trade, including tanker IMO 9213313. 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.
Since June 2023, the tanker has also been involved in the transportation of russian crude oil/petroleum products. Since the full-scale russian invasion into Ukraine in February 2022, more than 100 vessels that previously helped Iran export Iranian crude oil are now assisting russia in transporting russian oil/petroleum products.
From April 2023 to January 2024, the tanker was affiliated with the Chinese company Runfeng Shipmanagement Co Ltd, the fleet of which, as of April 23, 2025, includes one sanctioned vessel IMO 9174220, involved in the transportation of iranian oil to numerous refineries in China, STS transshipment with a vessel of the sanctioned National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) near Singapore to transport tens of thousands of metric tons of Iranian crude oil.
On February 12, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since July 24, 2026, the EU has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo, the tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil from russian ports to third countries.
The vessel affiliated with the beneficiaries of the sanctioned shipping company Hennesea Holdings Limited (UAE), founded in late 2022, operating in the maritime sector of the russian economy. Shortly before the entry into force of the price-cap policy, Hennesea acquired old tankers transporting russian crude oil and oil products and entering russian ports.
In January 2024, USA imposed sanctions to vessels affiliated with the beneficiaries of Hennesea.
According to GISIS IMO, as of early July 2025, the vessel's flag is marked as "Guinea False".
As of July 12, 2025, the tanker is anchored near Sharjah (UAE).
Since September 12, 2025, the United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In November 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 12, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since February 2026, the vessel has been sailing under the flag of the russian federation.
In March 2026, the tanker exported almost 1 million barrels of Urals crude oil from the port of Ust-Luga; the cargo was sold by PJSC Oil Company "Rosneft."
Since July 24, 2026, the EU has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The vessel is affiliated with the shipping company Hennesea Holdings Limited (UAE). Hennesea Holdings Limited was founded in late 2022. Shortly before the price cap policy on russian crude oil came into force, Hennesea Holdings Limited acquired old tankers. These vessels transported russian crude oil/petroleum products under western sanctions.
In January 2024, the US imposed sanctions on Hennesea Holdings Limited and part of its fleet, including tanker IMO 9259599, for violating the price cap policy.
Since September 12, 2025, the United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on the tanker.
In November 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
The vessel is also involved in the transportation of Iranian crude oil and petroleum products. Many tankers involved in transporting Iranian oil to countries such as China are also involved in Venezuelan trade, including tanker IMO 9259599. 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.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since July 24, 2026, the EU has imposed sanctions on the vessel.