Shadow Fleet

The tanker is involved in the export of sanctioned russian oil products from russian ports, mainly in the Black Sea, to Turkey and other third countries using deceptive, high-risk practices (disabling AIS).
The vessel, through related companies, including the sanctioned Stream Ship Management FZCO, Sun Ship Management, Oil Tankers SCF MGMT FZCO, affiliated with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia that services and supports offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian crude oil, oil products, and liquefied natural gas. The major charterers of PJSC Sovcomflot's vessels are russia's largest oil and gas companies and traders. PJSC Sovcomflot is involved in servicing major oil and gas projects in russia: Sakhalin-1, Sakhalin-2, Varandey, Prirazlomnoye, Novy Port, Yamal LNG and others. After the sanctions were imposed, PJSC Sovcomflot transferred dozens of vessels to the ownership of companies it had set up, including in foreign jurisdictions, and began the practice of constantly 'juggling' (transferring) vessels to related companies. According to expert estimates, the tankers 're-registered' by PJSC Sovcomflot to related companies are part of the so-called 'shadow tanker fleet' of the russian federation to continue selling russian crude oil, oil products, and liquefied natural gas under Western sanctions.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.
From February 25, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions on the tanker (sanctions were amended on July 18, 2025).
On March 04, 2025, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the tanker as a vessel associated with a sanctioned entity.
According to the database of the Global Integrated Shipping Information System of the International Maritime Organization (IMO's GISIS), as of July 21, 2025, the vessel's registration name is SAPPHIRE, the flag of Barbados. At the same time, the vessel sails under the flag of the Comoros.
On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In August 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the tanker's master.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 19, 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian oil/oil products from russian ports in the Black and Azov Seas, mainly to Turkey and Egypt, using deceptive practices (disabling AIS, spoofing), including in the Kerch Strait area. In October 2023, the vessel carried out STS transmissions with the oil product tanker BORAY (IMO 9198783) with a deadweight of almost 75 thousand tons, which was sanctioned by USA in January 2025 as property in which the sanctioned company Sunor International LLC, which is involved in the energy sector of the russian economy, has an interest.
The vessel belongs to the russian company Middle Volga Shipping Company LLC (subject to Ukrainian sanctions), which is a supplier to the sanctioned JSC Rosnefteflot under the russian state procurement system (at least under two contracts worth 94.4 million rubles). Rosnefteflot JSC is a part of the group of the sanctioned russian PJSC Rosneft Oil Company, a russian state-owned oil and gas company, one of the world's largest oil producers. The main activities of Rosnefteflot JSC are, in particular, chartering of the tanker fleet for the benefit of Rosneft, organization of river transportation in the interests of Rosneft in the Volga-Don, Azov-Don, Volga and Volga-Baltic basins.
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 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.

During the period of the G7+ oil embargo and the 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 in the Baltic and Black Seas, and in deceptive, high-risk practices (turning off AIS, in particular, in the Kerch Strait in the Black Sea, the russian port of Ust-Luga, near Oman).
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.
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 October 15, 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.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and price cap policy on russian oil/petroleum products.
The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of a shadow fleet of tankers that transport russian oil around the world and threaten the environment.
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.
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.

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 Sea, transshipment of russian oil from ship to ship in the area of anchorages in Greece and Malta. The transshipment of oil from ship to ship off the coast of Greece and Malta is reminiscent of the activities of the so-called 'STS hubs' that emerged several years ago in the UAE, Oman and Malaysia in response to USA sanctions against Venezuelan and Iranian oil. This methodology is aimed at concealing the origin, ownership and final destination of questionable cargo. The tanker resorts to the practice of turning off the AIS signal, conducting so-called 'dark activities', in particular in the Baltic Sea.
The tanker calls at ports in TOT Crimea, Ukraine, in particular, in May 2025, the vessel called at the port of Komysh-Burun.
The tanker is also involved in the transportation of Iranian oil and petroleum products.
The owner and commercial manager of the vessel is Ethereal Harbor Corp, a company registered in the Seychelles. The ISM manager of the tanker is Harmony Voyage Shipmanagement, a Kazakh company. The fleet of these companies consists only of the tanker ІМО 9206671.
On April 11, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of vessel IMO 9206671.
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.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 19, 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

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 Sea, of the Pacific region mainly to China and India.
The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as a shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment.
The tanker is linked to sanctioned companies Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE), Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ (UAE), Algae Ship Charter FZCO (UAE), and The Zulu Ships Management and Operation — Sole Proprietorship LLC (UAE), which managed the vessel in 2022-2024.
Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE) is considered one of the leading operators of the shadow fleet, which in early 2023 was among the three largest carriers of russian oil, together with Radiating World Shipping Services LLC (UAE) and Gatik Ship Management (India), and played a significant role in the export of russian crude oil to countries around the world during the period of sanctions restrictions. Fractal Marine DMCC managed a fleet of 28 tankers as an intermediary between shipowners and charterers.
Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE), Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ (UAE), Algae Ship Charter FZCO (UAE), The Zulu Ships Management and Operation — Sole Proprietorship LLC (UAE) are part of a shipping empire controlled by Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, the son of Ali Shamkhani, the chief political advisor to Iran's supreme leader. Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani uses his father's political influence to corrupt top-level officials in the Iranian regime in order to build and operate a huge fleet of tankers and container ships. This fleet transports oil and petroleum products from Iran and russia, as well as other cargoes, to buyers around the world, generating tens of billions of dollars in profits. Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani's shipping empire consists of a vast fleet of vessels, ship management companies, and front companies that launder billions of dollars in profits from the global sale of Iranian and russian crude oil and petroleum products, mostly to buyers in the PRC. The shipping empire takes significant measures to conceal its operations and obscure its ties to the Shamkhani family, Iran, and russia.
Fractal Marine DMCC played an important role in the management and operation of the tanker and container ship fleet of Mohammed Hossein Shamkhani's shipping network. Algae Ship Charter FZCO, Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ (UAE), and The Zulu Ships Management and Operation — Sole Proprietorship LLC (UAE) provide operational services for the fleet of Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani's shipping network.
Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ provided technical management for the vessel IMO 9308065, which was involved in an incident in the Baltic Sea due to technical malfunctions. On January 10, 2025, the IMO vessel 9308065, loaded with russian oil (99,000 tons) in the port of Ust-Luga, lost control in the Baltic Sea. According to the German Havariekommando, the ship's power supply and engine failed, it lost its ability to maneuver and began to drift at low speed in the open sea near the island of Rügen. This incident once again demonstrates the growing threat of oil spills from aging ships in the shadow fleet.
The tanker is also linked to Tarabya Logistics Ltd (UAE), which was sanctioned by the EU and Switzerland in July and August 2025 for operating vessels that engaged in illicit and high-risk shipping practices (sailing with gaps in automatic identification systems and high-risk ship-to-ship transshipments) while transporting oil of russian origin or exported from russia.
Since February 25, March 04, 2025 EU and Switzerland have respectively imposed sanctions on the tanker for transporting crude oil/oil products originating in or exported from russia using irregular and high-risk shipping practices as specified in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly resolution A.1192 (33).
On April 11, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of vessel IMO 9282493.
On May 09, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker as part of the restrictions on the russian shadow fleet.
According to GISIS IMO data as of July 15, 2025, the vessel's registration name is ASTERI, and the flag is designated as "Sint Maarten False".
Since September 18, 2025, Australia has 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.

The tanker during the G7 and EU oil embargo and price-cap policy on russian oil since the end of 2023 has been involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas to third countries.
The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as a shadow fleet of tankers that transport russian oil around the world and threaten the environment.
According to the American 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 November 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 a 'ghost armada' to ensure oil flows to its Chinese partner.
At the end of 2023, the tanker IMO 9315654 transported more than a million barrels of crude oil worth tens of millions of dollars on behalf of al-Jamal and the sanctioned Houthi businessman Abdi Nasir Ali Mahamud from Turkey.
On October 17, 2024, USA 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).
According to the database of the Global Integrated Shipping Information System of the International Maritime Organization (IMO's GISIS), as of July 21, 2025, the vessel's registered name is SEA HONOR, and the flag is listed as "Guyana False". At the same time, the vessel sails under the name S HON, the flag of Malawi.
On August 12, 2025, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On October 15, 2025, the United Kingdom 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.

The tanker, during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, has been involved in the export of russian crude oil to third countries since November 2023. In August 2024, in violation of the oil embargo, the vessel transported russian crude oil from the russian port of Taman on the Black Sea and delivered it to a transshipment point south of the Gulf of Laconia, west of the island of Kythira.
On October 25, 2025, the tanker transported russian Urals crude oil from the Sheshkharis terminal in the port of Novorossiysk to India in the interests of PJSC Lukoil.
The international public organization Greenpeace classified the tanker as a shadow fleet.
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.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 19, 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

In December 2023, the tanker was involved in the export of russian petroleum products from the port of St. Petersburg to a third country.
On February 12, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the vessel as part of restrictions targeting the russian shadow fleet.

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 in the Pacific region to India in the interests of the largest russian oil companies.
In particular, in February 2025, the tanker exported russian ESPO crude oil from the port of Kozmino to India in the interests of PJSC Oil Company "Rosneft".
The tanker is also involved in the transportation of Venezuelan crude oil / petroleum products.
From the time of its build until at least 2020, the tanker was affiliated with PJSC Sovcomflot and its related companies, including Sun Ship Management.
On February 12, 2026, Ukraine 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 on the Baltic Sea and in the Pacific region to third countries.
In particular, in July 2025, the tanker exported russian ESPO crude oil from the port of Kozmino to India in the interests of PJSC Oil Company "Rosneft". In September 2025, the vessel exported russian Urals crude oil from the port of Primorsk to Turkey on behalf of PJSC Oil Company "Rosneft".
In November 2025, the tanker exported russian petroleum products from the port of Vysotsk to Saudi Arabia in the interests of PJSC "Lukoil."
In January 2026, the vessel exported russian petroleum products from the ports of Vysotsk and Ust-Luga to Malaysia in the interests of Alghaf Marine DMCC and PJSC "Novatek" . According to available information, Alghaf Marine DMCC was established on December 31, 2024, in Dubai in the interests of PJSC Lukoil to trade in oil and petroleum products, replacing Litasco Middle East DMCC.
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 February 12, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the vessel.

During the period of the oil embargo and the G7+ countries’ price cap policy on russian crude oil and petroleum products, the tanker is involved in the export of russian petroleum products from ports in the Baltic Sea to third countries.
On February 12, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the vessel.