Shadow Fleet

Since September 2022 and during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and price-cap policy on russian oil, the tanker has been involved in exporting russian oil from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas to India, mainly, and has also been involved in violating the G7 and EU embargo. In particular, in March 2023, it was transporting russian oil from the russian port of Kavkaz in the Black Sea to the EU countries (Laconikos Gulf, Greece).
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 commercial management of the vessel is carried out by the Turkish company Westanker Ltd, which is included in the list of 11 new 'players' in the Turkish segment of the russian shadow fleet management, which together since the beginning of 2024 have been managing 47 tankers and helping russia to circumvent the price ceiling regime for russian oil. Thus, on the same day (February 22, 2024), six oil tankers ІМО 9308077, ІМО 9321677, ІМО 9282508, ІМО 9390587, ІМО 9413004, ІМО 9326885, which were operated by the sanctioned company Fractal Marine DMCC, were transferred to the management of the Turkish company Westanker Ltd. All six tankers in 2024 are actively involved in the transportation of russian oil from russian ports in the Black, Baltic Seas and Arctic regions of russia.
The tanker's security is managed by Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ (UAE), which also manages 19 other vessels affiliated with Fractal Marine DMCC.
Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE, under UK sanctions) is one of the leading operators of the russian shadow fleet in 2022-2023, and played a significant role in the transportation of russian oil. Fractal Marine DMCC operated a fleet of 28 tankers as an intermediary between ship owners and charterers. Fractal Marine DMCC, together with Gatik Ship Management (India) and Radiating World Shipping Services LLC (UAE, under UK sanctions), are considered to be the leading operators of the russian shadow fleet, which in early 2023 assembled a fleet of about 90 tankers, 90% of which transported russia's oil/oil products from russian Baltic and Black seas ports to India, China, Turkey, the Middle East, Africa and South America. In less than a year, the $2 billion fleet of oil tankers assembled by Fractal and Gatik could transport more than 40 million barrels of oil/oil products. Fractal Marine DMCC, Gatik Ship Management and Radiating World Shipping Services LLC in the tanker market helped russian oil continue to circulate around the world, and the russian government to provide multibillion-dollar revenues bypassing sanctions.
On February 22, 2024, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on Fractal Marine DMCC in connection with its involvement in servicing the russian energy sector. After the sanctions were imposed, Fractal Marine DMCC tried to challenge the sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom but lost in court. After that, the company 're-signed' its fleet to other companies.
Since December 19, 2025, the EU has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since January 13, 2026, Switzerland has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 12, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 24, 2026, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On June 12, 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

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, and resorts to deceptive, high-risk practices (disabling AIS, conducting dark activities near Malaysia, making STS transmissions with russian affiliation).
In early January 2023, the tanker IMO 9422988 made an STS transmission in international waters of the South Korean anchorage with the help of the russian tanker IMO 9301407 (under sanctions since January 2025, affiliated with the sanctioned russian company PJSC Sovcomflot), which had previously been loaded at the russian oil terminal De-Kastri.
The tanker IMO 9422988 is involved in an established chain of supply of russian crude oil/petroleum products to third countries by making STS transfers in the area near European countries, in particular, with the sanctioned tanker IMO 9247443, which since July 2024 has been operating in the area near Greece, Cyprus as a transshipment STS hub for russian crude oil/petroleum products, which are transported by tankers mainly from the russian ports of Tuapse, Novorossiysk, Taman crude oil/petroleum products transshipment complex for transshipment near European countries. In January and March 2025, tanker IMO 9422988 conducted STS transmissions with tanker IMO 9247443 near Greece and Cyprus, respectively. There are other STS transfers near Cyprus and Greece in 2025 with other tankers of the russian shadow fleet (IMO 9352195, IMO 9314882, IMO 9263203, IMO 9299862, IMO 9198290, IMO 9424651), which were sanctioned by the EU, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom in May 2025.
Transshipment of crude oil/petroleum products of russian origin by STS method at sea allows concealing the ownership and origin of the cargo, legalizing their supply to the EU, USA and other countries. In turn, the sale of crude oil/petroleum products on the world market allows the russian state budget to accumulate significant financial resources, which are used, among other things, to build up the military potential of the aggressor state and to provide material support for russia's military operations on the territory of Ukraine.
The tanker is involved in the transportation of Iranian oil to Chinese refineries, for which it was sanctioned by USAA in March 2025.
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.
Since September 18, 2025, Australia has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
At the end of 2025, the tanker was used by Trafigura to transport Venezuelan oil to the US as part of US-imposed controls on Venezuelan oil.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On June 12, 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker, during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil, is involved in the export of russian Urals and ESPO crude oil to China and India from the russian ports of Primorsk and Ust-Luga on the Baltic Sea, and Kozmino in the Pacific region on behalf of PJSC Lukoil, PJSC Gazprom, and PJSC Surgutneftegaz.
The tanker is also involved in the transportation of Iranian petroleum products. Since early 2024, the tanker has transported tens of thousands of metric tons of fuel oil on behalf of the sanctioned National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) to China.
The international non-governmental organization Greenpeace classifies the tanker as part of russia’s shadow fleet.
On March 13, 2025, the United States imposed sanctions on the vessel as part of restrictions targeting Iran’s oil and petrochemical sectors.
On December 19, 2025, and January 13, 2026, the EU and Switzerland, respectively, imposed sanctions on the tanker for transporting crude oil, petroleum products, or mineral products originating in or exported from russia, as well as for engaging in high-risk shipping practices as defined by Resolution A.1192 (33) of the General Assembly of the International Maritime Organization.
On December 13, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 24, 2026, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On June 12, 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the tanker.
The tanker engages in deceptive shipping practices by manipulating its identifying information—its name and flag state.

Since February 2023, the tanker has been involved in the export of russian Urals crude oil from russian ports on the Baltic and Black Seas, primarily to India and China, on behalf of russia’s largest oil companies, PJSC Oil Company "Rosneft" and PJSC "Surgutneftegaz".
In February 2023, the vessel was sold by Frontline (New York, USA, whose majority owner is shipping billionaire John Fredriksen) to an unknown company, Bay Global Maritime Inc., registered in Liberia, which was registered as the vessel’s owner and commercial manager.
In June 2023, the Turkish company Pier Denizcilik Ve Ticaret Ltd, incorporated on May 26, 2023, became the vessel’s safety manager. Pier Denizcilik Ve Ticaret Ltd managed the safety of two oil tankers affiliated with the sanctioned PJSC "Sovcomflot"—russia’s largest state-owned shipping company providing services and support for offshore hydrocarbon production, as well as the transportation of russian oil, petroleum products, and liquefied gas.
As of September 2024, management of the tanker was transferred to The Zulu Ships Management & Operation - Sole Proprietorship LLC (UAE). The Zulu Ships Management & Operation - Sole Proprietorship LLC is part of the shipping empire of Iranian oil magnate and major arms supplier to the Russian Federation, Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani.
On July 30, 2025, the United States imposed sanctions on the tanker IMO 9408695 as part of restrictions targeting the shipping empire of Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani.
On October 24 and December 13, 2025, the EU and Switzerland, respectively, imposed sanctions on the vessel IMO 9408695 in connection with the transport of crude oil/petroleum products or mineral products originating in or exported from russia, as well as the engagement in high-risk shipping practices as defined by Resolution A.1192 (33) of the General Assembly of the International Maritime Organization.
On December 13, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the tanker as part of restrictions targeting the russian shadow fleet.
On February 24, 2026, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On June 12, 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo, the tanker is involved in the export of russian oil 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".
In 2025, the tanker is involved in commodity transportation in Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia area without port calls.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In June 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

During the oil embargo and price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, the tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products, in particular from russian ports on the Baltic Sea.
The vessel is also involved in the transportation of iranian crude oil/petroleum products.
The tanker is the property of the sanctioned russian maritime shipping company MG-Flot LLC (formerly Transmorflot LLC). In May 2022, USA imposed sanctions on Transmorflot LLC and its vessels involved in the transportation of weapons for the russian federation. The commercial manager of the vessel is a sanctioned russian company, Marine Trans shipping LLC (TIN 3025037914), which also operates the Adler (IMO 9179854), a roll-on/roll-off vessel involved in arms transportation.
The vessel is also affiliated with LLC PSB Leasing (TIN 7722581759, related to the sanctioned PJSC Promsvyazbank (TIN 7744000912), a systemically important state-owned banking institution of the russian federation, which finances the russian defense industry, services significant volumes of state defense contracts of the ministry of defense of the russian federation, and provides banking services to the russian military, in particular mortgage loans.
MG-Flot LLC is associated with the Astrakhan businessman Pashayev Jamaldin Emirmagomedovich, who built his business around the commercial port of Olya in the Astrakhan region. This very place was proposed as a key logistic hub of the international transport corridor "North-South", the creation and construction of which was supervised and controlled by former russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov. The key purpose of the transportation corridor was trade with sanctioned Iran, which could import and export goods via the North-South route. This can thus explain the provision of Iranian oil trade by a fleet of tankers affiliated with a bank controlled by Pyotr Fradkov.
As part of the application of sanctions against PJSC Promsvyazbank, in February 2022, USA imposed sanctions on five vessels (including the vessel "Linda" (current name "Inda"), which were owned at the time by PSB Leasing LLC as a subsidiary of PJSC Promsvyazbank.
Since September 12, 2025, the United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In November 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On May 23, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The VLCC-class tanker is involved in transporting russian, Iranian crude oil and petroleum products, mainly to China.
On April, 2026, the EU imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since May 22, 2026, Switzerland has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On May 19, 2026, the United States imposed sanctions on the tanker.

The VLCC-class tanker is involved in the transportation of russian and Iranian crude oil, in particular to China.
On October 9, 2025, the US imposed sanctions on the tanker for loading millions of barrels of Iranian crude oil to China.
On April, 2026, the EU imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since May 22, 2026, Switzerland has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

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 deceptive, high-risk practices (disabling AIS, conducting dark activities near russian ports in the Black and Azov Seas, in the Kerch Strait, conducting STS transmissions with russian affiliation (with tanker IMO 9278959) near European countries).
The tanker makes calls to the ports of the TOT Crimea of Ukraine, in particular, in October 2024, June 2025.
The tanker is affiliated with the sanctioned russian company Prime Shipping LLC, which provides ISM management of the vessel.
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.
Since September 18, 2025, Australia has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 20, 2026, New Zealand imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On April, 2026, the EU imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since May 22, 2026, Switzerland has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is involved in the transportation of russian crude oil/petroleum products using deceptive, high-risk practices in the Black Sea.
The vessel calls at the ports of the TOT Crimea of Ukraine, in particular in March and May 2025 (ports Crimea, Komysh-Burun).
The tanker is affiliated with the sanctioned russian company Prime Shipping LLC, which provides ISM management of the vessel.
On February 24, 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.
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.
On April, 2026, the EU imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since May 22, 2026, Switzerland has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

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 and petroleum products from russian ports.
In particular, in June 2024, the tanker transported russian petroleum products from the port of Tuapse to Turkey in the interests of PJSC Oil Company "Rosneft." In August 2024, the vessel transported russian petroleum products from the port of Tuapse to the port of Benghazi (Libya) in the interests of PJSC Oil Company "Rosneft." In September 2024, the tanker transported russian petroleum products from the port of Ust-Luga to Indonesia (Karimun) on behalf of PJSC Oil Company "Rosneft."
The vessel is also involved in the transportation of iranian oil and petroleum products.

During the period of the G7+ oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, the VLCC tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products, in particular, through STS transfers near European countries.
In particular, the tanker carried out STS transmissions with the sanctioned tanker IMO 9419448 in July 2024 in the Gulf of Lakonikos (Greece), which left the russian port of Ust-Luga on June 23, 2024. There are also STS transmissions in the Laconikos Gulf (Greece) with the super tanker IMO 9402732, 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/petroleum products in 2022-2023 under Western sanctions. The super tanker IMO 9402732 carries out STS transmissions with tankers delivering russian crude oil/petroleum products, in particular from russian ports in the Black Sea. Earlier, there were STS transmissions in the Laconikos Gulf with the tanker IMO 9144782 of the shadow fleet built in 1997, which is also involved in the transportation of Iranian oil.
Transshipment of crude oil/petroleum products of russian origin by STS method allows to conceal the ownership and origin of the cargo, legalize their supply to EU countries, USA and other countries. In turn, the sale of crude oil/petroleum products on the world market allows accumulating significant financial resources in the state budget of the russian federation, which are used, among other things, to build up the military potential of the aggressor state and to provide material support for russia's military operations on the territory of Ukraine.
The tanker is also involved in the transportation of Iranian oil and petroleum products.
On May 19, 2026, the United States imposed sanctions on the tanker.