Shadow Fleet

During the period of the G7 and EU 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 from the russian ports of Primorsk, Ust-Luga in the Baltic Sea to third countries, and resorts to the practice of conducting dark activities in the Baltic Sea with the AIS signal turned off.
The vessel is affiliated with the sanctioned company Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE), one of the leading operators of the so-called shadow fleet involved in the export of russian crude oil / petroleum products in 2022-2023.
The shipping company Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE) was established shortly before the G7 countries adopted a price-cap policy on russian oil after russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, 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.
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.
The tanker is managed by The Zulu Ships Management & Operation - Sole Proprietorship LLC, which also operates other tankers affiliated with Fractal Marine DMCC.
On April 11, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the captain of the vessel IMO 9282481.
The tanker, IMO 9282481, 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, most often to buyers in China. The network takes significant steps to disguise its operations and obfuscate its ties to the Shamkhani family, Iran, and russia.
Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE), Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ (UAE), Algae Ship Charter FZCO (UAE), The Zulu Ships Management & Operation - Sole Proprietorship LLC (UAE), with which the tanker IMO 9282481 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 9282481.
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.

Since November 2023, the tanker has been involved in the export of russian crude oil mainly to China, India, including the EU, in violation of the G7 and EU oil embargo on russian oil. In particular, in May 2024, the vessel was transporting russian crude oil from the port of Primorsk in the Baltic Sea to the place of oil transfer near the port of Nador (Morocco) and the Spanish port of Melilla.
According to the USA-based 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 on August 31, 2023. Since the beginning of russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, more than 90 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.
The international public organization Greenpeace refers to the tanker as a shadowy fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment.
Oil exports from russia are the most important source of income for the regime of the aggressor country to finance the war against Ukraine. From February 2022 to November 22, 2024, russia earned almost 546 billion euros in oil export revenues (69% of all fossil fuel export revenues). In 2023, about a third of all tax revenues in russia came from the sale of oil and gas. The tax on oil production collected by the russian federation in 2023 amounted to 8.9 trillion rubles, or 31% of total federal revenues. According to the CREA data for October 2024, russia's revenues from crude oil exported by sea amounted to 210 million euros per day, 83% of the total volume of russian marine crude oil was transported by shadow tankers, while tankers owned or insured in countries that impose price restrictions accounted for 17% of the total value of russian oil exported in October.
Shadow fleet of russia continues to generate multibillion-dollar revenues for the kremlin bypassing sanctions, disguising its activities under the flags of third countries, using complex schemes to conceal owners, and poses significant environmental threats with significant economic costs to coastal countries and/or the international community due to the outdated and inadequate insurance of shadow fleet tankers.
On May 20, 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.
On June 03, 2025, the sanctions imposed by Switzerland on the vessel came into force.
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.
On February 24, 2026, Australia imposed sanctions on the vessel.

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.
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.

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 to third countries and in 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 the USA-based 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 has switched to transporting russian oil since 2022. Since the beginning of russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, more than 90 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.
The shadow fleet of russia continues to generate multibillion-dollar revenues for the kremlin bypassing sanctions, disguising its activities under the flags of third countries, using complex schemes to conceal owners, and poses significant environmental threats with significant economic costs to coastal countries and/or the international community due to the outdated and inadequate insurance of shadow fleet tankers.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On May 20, 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.
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.
Since October 30, 2025, New Zealand has imposed sanctions on the tanker.
In November 2025, Canada 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 24, 2026, Australia imposed sanctions on the vessel.

During the G7 and EU oil embargo and price cap policy on russian crude oil, the tanker is involved in transporting russian crude oil to third countries from russian ports in the Baltic Sea, resorting to the practice of turning off the AIS signal and conducting so-called "dark activities," particularly in the Baltic Sea near the coasts of russia, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
The tanker is involved in the transportation of Iranian crude oil/petroleum products. Since the start of russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, more than 100 vessels that previously helped Iran export crude oil are now helping russia transport russian crude oil/petroleum products.
Many tankers involved in transporting Iranian oil to countries such as China are involved in Venezuelan trade, including tanker IMO 9183271. 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 cargoes are transported by vessels of the sanctioned National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) in both directions. A significant number of vessels flying under foreign (not Iranian) flags are also involved in this trade.
On May 20, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker as part of restrictions on the russian shadow fleet.
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.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/oil products to third countries from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas, conducting dark activities at sea with the AIS signal turned off, and violating the G7 and EU oil embargo on russian crude oil. In particular, in July 2023, the vessel exported russian oil/oil products from the russian port of Kavkaz in the Black Sea to the EU countries (to the Laconikos Gulf, Greece) through a transshipment in violation of the embargo.
RLRISE Moldova, a community of investigative journalists, programmers and activists from the Republic of Moldova and Romania, and the international NGO Greenpeace refer to the tanker as a shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment.
Under the sanctions, russia has begun to build up its own shadow fleet of outdated tankers, which has no 'ties' with the G7 and the EU and can transport oil in violation of price caps. russia disguises its shadow activities at sea under the 'convenient' flags of third countries, operates at sea without proper insurance from the international club of insurers, uses complex schemes to conceal the owners of the shadow fleet, uses various deceptive tactics to conceal the origin of its cargo, creates threats to environmental safety with large-scale economic costs for coastal countries due to the growing threat of oil spills, does not use pilots to navigate difficult areas, etc.
russia's 'shadow fleet' continues to provide multibillion-dollar revenues for the kremlin bypassing sanctions, disguising its activities under the flags of third countries, using complex schemes to conceal owners, and poses significant environmental threats with significant economic costs to coastal countries and/or the international community due to the outdated and inadequate insurance of shadow fleet tankers.
On May 20, 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.
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.
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.
On February 24, 2026, Australia imposed sanctions on the vessel.

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.

Since August 2023, the tanker has been involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports in the Baltic, Black Seas, and the Pacific region, mainly to India, China, and Turkey. The last change of ownership of the vessel took place in July 2023, which indicates that the tanker was purchased, in particular, for the purpose of transporting russian oil.
The international non-governmental organization Greenpeace refers to the tanker as a shadowy fleet of tankers that transport russian oil around the world and threaten the environment.
Under the sanctions, russia has begun to build up its own shadow fleet of outdated tankers, which has no 'ties' with the G7 and the EU and can transport oil in violation of price caps. russia disguises its shadow activities at sea under the 'convenient' flags of third countries, operates at sea without proper insurance from the international club of insurers, uses complex schemes to conceal the owners of the shadow fleet, uses various deceptive tactics to conceal the origin of its cargo, creates threats to environmental safety with large-scale economic costs for coastal countries due to the growing threat of oil spills, does not use pilots to navigate difficult areas, etc.
russia's 'shadow fleet' continues to provide multibillion-dollar revenues for the kremlin bypassing sanctions, disguising its activities under the flags of third countries, using complex schemes to conceal owners, and poses significant environmental threats with significant economic costs to coastal countries and/or the international community due to the outdated and inadequate insurance of shadow fleet tankers.
On November 25, 2024, United Kingdom imposed sanctions on a tanker in connection with the transportation of russian oil/oil products from the russian federation to a third country as part of the restrictions on the russian shadow fleet.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 21, 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
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 August 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the tanker's master.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 24, 2026, Australia 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 and the Pacific region, and resorts to the practice of turning off the AIS signal, conducting so-called 'dark activities' at sea near Malaysia, Oman, Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia.
Since the beginning of 2024, the tanker has transported tens of thousands of metric tons of fuel oil on behalf of the sub-sanctioned National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) to China.
The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as a shadow fleet.
russia's shadow fleet continues to generate billions of dollars in revenue for the kremlin by circumventing sanctions, disguising its activities under the flags of third countries, using complex schemes to conceal owners, and poses significant environmental threats with significant economic costs to coastal countries and/or the international community due to the outdated and inadequate insurance of shadow fleet tankers.
On March 13, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel as part of the restrictions on Iran's petroleum/petrochemical sector.
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.

The tanker, during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil from July 2023, has been involved in the export of russian crude oil from russian ports in the Baltic Sea to third countries, violating the G7 and EU oil embargo on russian crude oil. In particular, the vessel is involved in STS transfers of russian crude oil to the vessel LIGERA in the Gulf of Laconia (Greece). On January 9, 2024, the vessel LIGERA was spotted off the coast of Crete in ballast with a draft of 11.3 m. On January 10, 2024, the tanker sailed to the Gulf of Laconia, where it made its first STS transfer on the same day, receiving Urals oil from the vessel NAUTILUS (IMO 9434890). The NAUTILUS was loaded with 729,000 barrels of Urals oil from the port of Ust-Luga. The LIGERA, loaded with russian oil, concealed information about the change in the ship's draft and headed for Venezuela, where an STS transfer of oil to the MORNING SUN (IMO 9110183) between February 28 and March 1, 2024, which delivered 600,000 barrels of russian oil to the Cardon oil refinery in Venezuela on March 2, 2024.
The tanker is affiliated with Adel Ship Management SRL (Moldova), which manages tankers that help russia transport crude oil under Western sanctions. Adel Ship Management SRL is considered one of the largest carriers of russian crude oil. In particular, in the first half of 2024, the Moldovan company shipped 2.6 million barrels of oil, which is approximately 2% of total russian exports.
RLRISE Moldova, a community of investigative journalists, programmers, and activists from the Republic of Moldova and Romania, considers the tanker to be part of the shadow fleet involved in the export of russian oil.
On May 20, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker as part of restrictions on the russian shadow fleet.
Since July 20, 2025, the EU has imposed sanctions on the tanker 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.
On August 12, 2025, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In October and December 2025, the tanker ensured the maritime export of russian Urals crude oil from the port of Ust-Luga to India and from the Sheshkharis terminal of the port of Novorossiysk to the PRC in the interests of PJSC Oil Company Rosneft and PJSC Lukoil, respectively.
On December 13, 2025, Ukraine 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.

The tanker, during the period of the G7+ oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/oil products, is involved in the transportation of russian crude oil/oil products from russian ports in the Baltic Sea using deceptive, high-risk practices (disabling AIS, in particular, in the area of the port of Ust-Luga).
The tanker is affiliated with the Indian company Maritas Fleet Private Ltd, which was the ISM manager of the vessel from December 2022 to February 2024. The dominance of India as the technical and ISM manager of shadow fleet tankers may indicate the creation of a control center for shadow fleet vessels, masking the beneficial owners. Established in 2022, Maritas Fleet Private Ltd has managed 29 tankers, including those under sanctions, affiliated with the sanctioned company Hennesea Holdings Limited. Hennesea Holdings Limited was founded in late 2022 in the UAE and owned 18 vessels that transported crude oil of russian origin at a price above $60 per barrel. Shortly before the introduction of the price-cap policy, the company acquired old tankers involved in the transportation of russian crude oil and petroleum products with calls to russian ports.
On May 20, 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.
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.
In November 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 24, 2026, Australia 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.
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.