Marine vessels

The tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Baltic Sea, transportation of sanctioned Iranian oil using deceptive, high-risk practices. The vessel was involved in numerous STS transfers of Iranian oil in 2022, and conducts dark activities at sea with AIS turned off. According to the data of the United Against Nuclear Iran, the group that monitors Iran-related tanker traffic using satellite data, the vessel was involved in the transportation of Iranian oil and switched to the transportation of russian oil. 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 now help russia transport russian crude/petroleum products. On June 17, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker due to the transportation of crude oil/petroleum products of russian origin from russia to third countries. On July 30, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the tanker as the property of the sanctioned shipping company Kylo Shipping Inc. which is involved in providing material assistance, financial, material, technological support, goods or services to the sanctioned Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani. Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani is the son of Ali Shamkhani, the Chief Political Advisor to the Supreme Leader of Iran. Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani uses corruption through his father's political influence at the highest levels of the Iranian regime to build and operate a huge fleet of tankers and container ships. This network 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. The Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani network consists of a huge fleet of ships, ship management firms and front companies that launder billions of dollars in profits from global sales of Iranian and Russian crude oil and petroleum products, most often to buyers in China. The network has taken significant steps to disguise its operations and obfuscate its ties to the Shamkhani family, Iran, and russia.

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 crude oil / petroleum products, and resorts to the practice of turning off the AIS signal and conducting dark activities at sea. The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of the shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment. According to United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), which monitors Iran-related tanker traffic using satellite data, the vessel participated in numerous STS operations with Iranian oil in 2021, and since September 2021, the ship has switched to transporting russian oil. Since May 21, 2025, the EU has imposed sanctions on the tanker for the transportation of crude oil / petroleum products originating from russia or exported from russia using irregular high-risk shipping practices, as set out 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 June 17, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker for the transportation of crude oil / petroleum products of russian origin from russia to third countries. Since June 2025, the vessel has been owned by Backstreet Palm Corp (Seychelles), which was subject to USA sanctions on July 30, 2025. Backstreet Palm Corp is part of a network of companies controlled by Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, the son of Ali Shamkhani, the Chief Political Advisor to the Supreme Leader of Iran. Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani uses corruption through his father's political influence at the highest levels of the Iranian regime to build and operate a huge fleet of tankers and container ships. This network 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. The Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani network consists of a huge fleet of ships, ship management firms and front companies that launder billions of dollars in profits from global sales of Iranian and russian crude oil and petroleum products, mostly to buyers in China. The network takes significant steps to disguise its operations and obfuscate its ties to the Shamkhani family, Iran, and russia. On July 30, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the tanker IMO 9304356.

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 and Black Seas, mainly to China and India, and resorts to the practice of conducting 'dark' activities at sea with the AIS signal turned off. On January 10, 2025, a 19-year-old tanker loaded with russian oil (99 thousand tons) in the port of Ust-Luga lost control in the Baltic Sea. According to the German Havariekommando, the vessel's power supply system 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. The tanker was towed by German vessels, which in stormy weather (9-point storm, waves 3-4 meters) pulled the tanker loaded with russian oil eastward to Zasnitsa at low speed, bypassing Cape Arkona. This incident once again demonstrates the growing threat of oil spills by outdated shadow fleet vessels. The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of the shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment. The vessel is affiliated with Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE, under UK sanctions), one of the leading operators of the russian shadow fleet in 2022-2023, which played a significant role in the transportation of russian oil, as well as with Fractal's affiliate Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ. 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. From February 25, March 4, 2025, the EU and Switzerland respectively imposed sanctions on the tanker for transporting 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). The vessel, IMO 9308065, is part of a vast shipping empire controlled by Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, the son of Ali Shamkhani, the chief political advisor to the Supreme Leader of Iran. Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani uses corruption through his father's political influence at the highest levels of the Iranian regime to build and operate a huge fleet of tankers and container ships. This network 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. The Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani network consists of a huge fleet of ships, ship management firms and front companies that launder billions of dollars in profits from global sales of Iranian and russian crude oil and petroleum products, mostly to buyers in China. The network takes significant steps to disguise its operations and obfuscate its ties to the Shamkhani family, Iran, and russia. The companies Koban Shipping LLC, Fractal Marine DMCC, Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ, with which the tanker IMO 9308065 is affiliated, are among the companies that have played a significant role in the management and operation of the Shamkhani tanker fleet. On July 30, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the tanker IMO 9308065. On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker has been involved in the export of russian crude oil / petroleum products to third countries since February 2023. In February 2023, the vessel was sold by Frontline (New York, USA, majority owned by shipping billionaire John Fredricksen) to an unknown company, Bay Global Maritime Inc, registered in Liberia, which was registered as the owner and commercial manager of the vessel. In June 2023, the Turkish company Pier Denizcilik Ve Ticaret Ltd, incorporated on May 26, 2023, became the ship's safety manager. Pier Denizcilik Ve Ticaret Ltd managed the safety of two oil tankers affiliated with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia for servicing and supporting offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian crude oil, petroleum products, and liquefied gas. Since September 2024, the management of the tanker has been transferred to The Zulu Ships Management & Operation - Sole Proprietorship LLC (UAE), which was subject to USA sanctions on July 30, 2025. The Zulu Ships Management & Operation - Sole Proprietorship LLC is part of a network of companies controlled by Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, son of Ali Shamkhani, Chief Political Advisor to the Supreme Leader of Iran. Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani uses corruption through his father's political influence at the highest levels of the Iranian regime to build and operate a vast fleet of tankers and container ships. This network 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. The Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani network consists of a huge fleet of ships, ship management firms and front companies that launder billions of dollars in profits from global sales of Iranian and russian crude oil and petroleum products, mostly to buyers in China. The network takes significant steps to disguise its operations and obfuscate its ties to the Shamkhani family, Iran, and russia. On July 30, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the tanker IMO 9408695.

The tanker during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products since June 2024 has been involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Black and Baltic Seas using deceptive practices (disabling AIS, conducting dark activities near the russian ports of Primorsk and Novorossiysk). 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.

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. 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. In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel. On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom 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. 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.

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 from russian ports in the Gulf of Finland and the Black Sea using deceptive practices (disabling AIS, conducting dark activities in the Gulf of Finland, near russian ports in the Black Sea). The tanker is affiliated with the Turkish company Beks Tanker Isletmeciligi AS, which was the commercial and ISM manager of the vessel from February 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 tanker has been managed by the Turkish company Tokyo Gemi Isletmeciligi AS. Tokyo Gemi Isletmeciligi AS has the same legal address as two other Turkish ship managers, Sand Gemi Isletmeciligi AS and Cape Gemi Isletmeciligi AS. Eight tankers of these companies were operated by Beks Tanker Isletmeciligi AS in 2023 and early 2024, and one tanker was operated by the sanctioned Beks Gemi Isletmeciligi ve Tic. 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.

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. 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.

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 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 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.

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 is affiliated with the sanctioned Cypriot company Lagosmarine Limited, which was the tanker's manager. In January 2025, USA imposed sanctions on Lagosmarine Limited for its activities in the energy sector of the russian federation and as the technical manager of a crude oil tanker that made several calls to a russian port where the price of oil was constantly exceeding the price cap. After sanctions were imposed on the Cypriot company Lagosmarine Limited, the management of the vessel was changed to Seaking Management Ltd (China). 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.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, and resorts to deceptive, high-risk practices (disabling AIS, conducting dark activities, STS transmissions with russian affiliations near European countries, as well as with sanctioned tankers near russian ports with oil terminals, in particular with IMO tankers 9310525, IMO 9304825 in May 2025). The IMO tanker 9424651 is involved in the established chain of supply of russian crude oil/petroleum products to third countries by means of STS transfers in the area near European countries, in particular, with the sanctioned IMO tanker 9247443, which has been in the area near Greece since July 2024, Cyprus, has been acting 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 March and April 2025, IMO tanker 9424651 conducted STS transmissions with IMO tanker 9247443 near Cyprus. There are other STS transmissions with other tankers of the russian shadow fleet in 2025 near Cyprus and Greece (IMO 9422988, IMO 9272931, IMO 9274666, IMO 8808525, IMO 9314882, IMO 9234501). 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, the US 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. 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. 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 set out 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. Following the imposition of sanctions by the EU and Switzerland, the vessel changed its flag country from Palau to Tanzania. After the change of flag country, the vessel continues to call at russian ports with oil terminals. On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.