Shadow Fleet

Marine vessels involved in the transportation of sanctioned oil
Total number:
1404
Marine vessels
534
Masters
Updated: 07.05.2026
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more than 100 million tons (approximately 17% of the world`s oil tanker fleet) consists of more than a thousand mostly outdated, poorly maintained vessels without proper insurance, with ‘confusing’ ownership and management structures located in ‘friendly’ jurisdictions, under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: 88 516 тис.тоннTotal: 854
URIEL
Vessel name
URIEL
IMO
9336517
Flag (Current)
Sierra Leone Sierra Leone
Vessel Type
Oil Products Tanker
Category
Transportation of fossil fuels in violation of sanctions and other restrictions
icon arrow-tree Transporting russian crude oil / petroleum products
During the G7 and EU oil embargo and price cap policy on russian oil / petroleum products, the tanker was involved in the export of russian oil / petroleum products.
The vessel is affiliated with Maritas Fleet PVT LTD (India), which was the operator of the tanker. Maritas Fleet PVT LTD was founded in December 2022 in Mumbai and has acquired 29 tankers, including vessels owned by Hennesea Holdings Limited. Hennesea Holdings Limited was founded in late 2022 in the UAE and, shortly before the introduction of the price cap policy, acquired more than 20 old tankers that were focused on transporting russian crude oil at a price higher than $60 per barrel. In January 2024, the US imposed sanctions on Hennesea Holdings Limited and part of its tanker fleet for violating the price cap policy.
Since July 2025, the tanker has been managed by Lumen Ship Management FZCO, whose fleet as of October 16, 2025, consists of eight oil tankers, including those under sanctions, which previously belonged to Hennesea Holdings Limited and were managed by the Indian company Maritas Fleet PVT LTD.
After the change in management, the vessel continues to transport russian oil / petroleum products. Between January 2024 and July 2025, the tanker transported approximately 1 million barrels of russian oil / petroleum products.
Since October 24, 2025, the EU has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Switzerland has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 24, 2026, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
View profile
BREEZ
Vessel name
BREEZ
IMO
9247778
Flag (Current)
unknown
Vessel Type
Crude Oil Tanker
Category
Transportation of fossil fuels in violation of sanctions and other restrictions
icon arrow-tree Transporting russian crude oil / petroleum products
The tanker was involved in the export of russian oil and petroleum products during the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian oil and petroleum products. The vessel was also engaged in the transportation of iranian oil and petroleum products.
The tanker is affiliated with the sanctioned shipping company Meuse Shipping Inc (Marshall Islands), which was sanctioned by the United States on July 30, 2025, for providing material assistance, sponsoring, or offering financial, material, or technological support, as well as goods or services to or in support of Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani.
Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, the son of Ali Shamkhani, the chief political advisor to iran’s supreme leader, leverages his father’s political influence to corrupt senior iranian regime officials to build and operate a vast fleet of tankers and container ships. This fleet transports oil and petroleum products from iran and russia, as well as other cargoes, to customers around the world, generating tens of billions of dollars in profit.
Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani’s shipping network consists of a vast fleet of vessels, ship management companies, and front entities that launder billions of dollars in proceeds from global sales of iranian and russian crude oil and petroleum products, mostly to buyers in the People’s Republic of China. The network takes extensive measures to conceal its operations and obscure its ties to the Shamkhani family, iran, and russia.
On July 30, 2025, the United States imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 19, 2025, the EU has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since January 13, 2026, Switzerland has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 24, 2026, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
View profile
ORVI
Vessel name
ORVI
IMO
9321718
Flag (Current)
unknown
Vessel Type
Crude Oil Tanker
Category
Cargo transportation from/to ТОТ of Ukraine
icon arrow-tree Calling ports of the TOT
During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price-cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, the tanker has been involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports.
The vessel has made port calls at the ports of the temporarily occupied territory (TOT) of Ukraine, including in June 2025 at the port of Komysh-Burun.
The tanker is affiliated with the sanctioned shipping company Zale Shipping Inc (Marshall Islands), which was designated by the United States on July 30, 2025, for providing material assistance, sponsorship, or financial, material, or technological support, as well as goods or services to or in support of Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani.
Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, the son of Ali Shamkhani – chief political advisor to the Supreme Leader of Iran – leverages his father’s political influence to cultivate corruption among senior Iranian officials, enabling the construction and operation of a vast fleet of tankers and container ships. This fleet transports oil and petroleum products from Iran and russia, as well as other cargoes, to global customers, generating tens of billions of dollars in profits. His maritime network consists of a large fleet of vessels, ship management companies, and front entities that launder billions of dollars in proceeds from the worldwide sale of Iranian and russian crude oil and petroleum products, primarily to buyers in China. The network employs extensive concealment measures to obscure its ties to the Shamkhani family, Iran, and russia.
The tanker is also affiliated with the sanctioned company Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE), regarded as one of the leading operators of the russian shadow fleet. At the beginning of 2023, Fractal Marine DMCC was among the three largest carriers of russian crude oil/petroleum products – along with Radiating World Shipping Services LLC (UAE) and Gatik Ship Management (India) – and played a major role in facilitating russian oil exports worldwide amid sanctions.
Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE) and Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ (UAE), with which the tanker IMO 9321718 is affiliated, are among the companies that have played a significant role in managing and operating the tanker fleet of the Shamkhani maritime network.
On July 30, 2025, the United States imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since October 24, 2025, the EU has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Switzerland has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 24, 2026, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
View profile
RHEIN
Vessel name
RHEIN
IMO
9306562
Flag (Current)
Cameroon Cameroon
Vessel Type
Crude Oil Tanker
Category
Cargo transportation from/to ТОТ of Ukraine
icon arrow-tree Calling ports of the TOT
The tanker during the period of the G7, EU oil embargo and price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products. The vessel conducts dark activities near russian ports in the Baltic Sea, in the Kerch Strait area, near the TOT of Crimea of Ukraine. The tanker calls at the ports of the TOT of Crimea of Ukraine, in particular, in June 2025 at the port of Kоmysh-Burun.
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.
The tanker is affiliated with the Turkish company Beks Tanker Isletmeciligi AS, which was the commercial and ISM manager of the vessel from April 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 June 17, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker in connection with the carrying crude oil/petroleum products that originated in russia from russia to a third countries.
Since October 24, 2025, the EU has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Switzerland has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 20, 2026, New Zealand imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 19, 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 24, 2026, Australia imposed sanctions on the vessel.
View profile
MARLIN
Vessel name
MARLIN
IMO
9585912
Flag (Current)
russian federation russian federation
Vessel Type
Chemical/Oil Products Tanker
Category
Cargo transportation from/to ТОТ of Ukraine
icon arrow-tree Calling ports of the TOT
The tanker during the period of the G7, EU oil embargo, price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports.
The tanker is actively engaged in dark activities near the TOT of Crimea of Ukraine, in the Kerch Strait, in the Sea of Azov, and calls at the ports of the TOT of Crimea of Ukraine, in particular, in May 2025 at the port of Komysh-Burun, port Crimea.
The owner and manager of the tanker since June 2024 is the russian company Trinity Shipping LLC (TIN: 7813270750), the main activity of which is the activity of sea freight transport. As of June 14, 2025, the company's fleet includes seven more oil tankers (IMO 9038969, IMO 9166314, IMO 9282986 (under sanctions since May 2025), IMO 9288930 (under sanctions since May 2025), IMO 9105140 (under sanctions since May 2025), IMO 9585924, IMO 9676230), russian-flagged vessels, including the tanker IMO 9676230, affiliated with the russian company Transpetrochart LLC (7825484443, under USA sanctions) and according to OFAC data was involved in oil supplies to Syria in 2016-2018. Transpectrochart LLC is affiliated with the sanctioned russian company JSC Sovfracht, one of the largest independent freight forwarding companies in russia, which acts as a key node in the military transport network of russian cargo ships delivering North Korean weapons to russian military facilities for use in the war against Ukraine. Transpetrochart LLC is associated with the supply of jet fuel and oil products from the Feodosia oil depot to the Syrian port of Tartus to supply the russian troops in Syria, including the "Syrian squadron" of the russian navy.
On June 17, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker in connection with the carrying crude oil/petroleum products that originated in russia from russia to a third countries.
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.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 19, 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 24, 2026, Australia imposed sanctions on the vessel.
View profile
MONTE 1
Vessel name
MONTE 1
IMO
9297553
Flag (Current)
Cameroon Cameroon
Vessel Type
Crude Oil Tanker
Category
Transportation of fossil fuels in violation of sanctions and other restrictions
icon arrow-tree Transporting russian crude oil / petroleum products
During the period of the G7, EU 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 from russian ports in the Baltic Sea and the Pacific region. The vessel resorts to disabling AIS in the vicinity of russian ports in the Baltic Sea.
Since February 2025, the vessel has been operated by the Indian company Mariam Ship Management Service, whose fleet as of June 18, 2025, in addition to the tanker IMO 9297553, also includes the crude oil tanker IMO 9383869, which is also involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products.
On June 17, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker in connection with the carrying crude oil/petroleum products that originated in russia from russia to a third countries.
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.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 19, 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 24, 2026, Australia imposed sanctions on the vessel.
View profile
EVITA
Vessel name
EVITA
IMO
9408530
Flag (Current)
Cameroon Cameroon
Vessel Type
Crude Oil Tanker
Category
Transportation of fossil fuels in violation of sanctions and other restrictions
icon arrow-tree Transporting russian crude oil / petroleum products
During the period of the G7, EU oil embargo, price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, the tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Black Sea in 2023, the Pacific region in 2025, resorting to disabling AIS and conducting dark activities in the Kerch Strait area, near russian ports in the Black Sea in 2023, near North Korea in 2025.
Since March 2025, the tanker has been operated by the Chinese company Aether Craft Co Ltd, whose fleet consists only of the tanker IMO 9408530, and since April 2025, the tanker has been involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from the russian port of Kozmino in the Pacific region to the PRC.
On June 17, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker in connection with the carrying crude oil/petroleum products that originated in russia from russia to a third countries.
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 22, 2025, the vessel's registered name is EVITA, the flag of Barbados. At the same time, the vessel sails under the flag of Palau.
On August 12, 2025, Switzerland 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.
On February 24, 2026, Australia imposed sanctions on the vessel.
View profile
To top