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 has been involved since February 2023 in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products mainly to the PRC and third countries.
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.
In October 2024, the ship's management was transferred from the Moldova-based KSN Shipmanagement SRL to the Azerbaijan-based Dream Island Shipping LLC. According to investigative journalists from RISE Moldova, KSN Shipmanagement SRL is one of ten Moldova-based companies that play a significant role in the maritime transportation of russian oil.
The tanker's name Torex appeared in early 2023 after it was sold by a Pakistani corporation for more than five billion Pakistani rupees (equivalent to about $21 million in early 2023). In early April, and then in July 2023, a Norwegian maritime trade news portal reported that the actual new beneficiary of the tanker was KSN Shipmanagement SRL from Moldova.
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threats with significant economic costs to coastal countries and/or the international community due to the outdated and inadequate insurance of shadow fleet tankers.
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.
Since March 25, 2026, Canada has 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, in April 2024, the vessel transported russian crude oil from the russian port of Ust-Luga to the Gulf of Laconikos (Greece) for STS transfers.
The vessel is also involved in the transportation of iranian crude oil/petroleum products.
The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of the shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil worldwide and posing a threat to the environment.
Since May 21, 2025, the EU has imposed sanctions on tankers 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 June 3, 2025, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel.
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 6, 2026, the US imposed sanctions on a tanker for transporting Iranian crude oil/petroleum products.
On February 21, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of the vessel.
Since March 25, 2026, Canada has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

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.
According to the data of 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 October 2024. 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.
The tanker is affiliated with Delnaz Ship Management Sdn Bhd, which was sanctioned by USA on October 11, 2024 for providing material, sponsorship or financial, material or technological support, or goods or services to support the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) within the framework of expanding restrictions on the oil and petrochemical sector of Iran.
On October 11, 2024, USA imposed sanctions on the tanker as a property in which Delnaz Ship Management Sdn Bhd has an interest.
According to GISIS IMO data as of July 15, 2025, the vessel's registered name is CROSS OCEAN, the flag is unknown. At the same time, the vessel sails under the name BLUEBELL, the flag of Curacao.
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 21, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of the vessel.
On February 24, 2026, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since March 25, 2026, Canada has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

It is involved in the supply of jet fuel and other important cargo to the Middle East (to the group of Russian troops in Syria in the interests of the russian Ministry of Defence), and calls at the ports of the TOT of Ukraine (in particular, the port of Crimea).
In 2024, three tankers ‘Azov’ (IMO 8943260), ‘Koysug’ (IMO 8883252), and ‘Nizami Ganjavi’ (IMO 9369617) were added to the list of vessels used by the russian federation to make covert deliveries to Syria in the interests of the russian ministry of defence. During 2024, the vessels were repeatedly used by the russian federation to carry out maritime transportation from the black sea ports of the russian federation to Syria under the traditional scheme of concealing entries/exits to/from ports in Syria by switching off their transponders in the Mediterranean north or south of Cyprus.
Aviation fuel and diesel were supplied to Syria from russian ports (Azov port), petrol - from Iran.
Such steps were taken by Russia after the successful attacks in 2023 by the Ukrainian Defence Forces against the russian tanker ‘Sig’ in the Black Sea, which was carrying out sea transport to Syria to supply jet fuel to the russian troops in Syria.
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.
Since March 25, 2026, Canada has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 since February 2023 from russian ports in the Black and Baltic Seas, as well as through STS transfers, including with sanctioned vessels of the russian shadow fleet with russian affiliation near the russian port of Primorsk, near the Egyptian port of Said. While exporting russian fossil fuels, the tanker resorted to deceptive practices, such as disabling AIS and conducting shadowy activities near the port of Kerch (TOT Crimea of Ukraine) in January 2025, near the russian port of Primorsk in the Gulf of Finland in May 2025.
In May 2025, the tanker IMO 9459242 carried out an STS transfer near the russian port of Primorsk with the sanctioned tanker IMO 9304825, affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management, one of the leading operators of the russian shadow fleet, which in 2022-2023 became the largest carrier of russian oil under sanctions. At the same time, the sanctioned tanker IMO 9304825 in the same area (near the port of Said) at the same time carried out a number of other STS transfers with other tankers, in particular with the sanctioned tankers IMO 9310525 (affiliated with Gatik Ship Management), IMO 9842188, IMO 9842190, owned and operated by the sanctioned russian company JSC Rosnefteflot, a subsidiary of the sanctioned PJSC Rosneft Oil Company, tanker IMO 9270517 (sanctioned since May 2025 and associated with the sanctioned russian PJSC Sovcomflot), as well as non-sanctioned tankers IMO 9326861, IMO 9410179, IMO 9577082, IMO 9396713, etc.
In February 2025, near the port of Said (Egypt), having first left the Taman oil and petroleum products transshipment complex, and then carrying out dark activities near the port of Kerch (TOT Crimea of Ukraine) in January 2025, the tanker IMO 9459242 carried out an STS transfer with the tanker IMO 9279757. At the same time, in the same area near the Egyptian port, tanker IMO 9279757 made STS transmissions with other tankers IMO 9312913, IMO 9419151 (under sanctions since May 2025), IMO 9419151.
In April 2023, the tanker was involved in the export of a batch of oil products from the russian port of Tuapse, the exporter of the cargo was the sanctioned PJSC Oil Company Rosneft, the recipient was Blackford Corporation Limited, and the port of destination was Fujairah. There is a production complex in Tuapse belonging to the sanctioned Rosneft - the Tuapse Refinery with a marine terminal.
Since June 2024, the tanker has been affiliated with Navigenix Shipmanagement LLC, an Azerbaijani company, which is its ISM manager. The said company is involved in a network of companies from Azerbaijan (including Dream Island Shipping LLC, Ocean Voyage LLC, Tidal Tech Mariners LLC, Seafaring Savants LLC, VVave Minder Shipmanagement, Triton Technical Services LLC, Nautilus Fleet Management LLC, Harbor Harmony Shipmanagement), which in the second half of 2024 took over the management of a number of tankers of the shadow fleet of the russian federation from a number of 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), which had been managing a group of oil tankers focused on the transportation of russian crude oil/petroleum products since 2023.
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.

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 since September 2024 in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Black and Baltic Seas, including the use of deceptive practices (disabling AIS, conducting dark activities, in particular near the russian port of Ust-Luga). At the same time, since August 2024, the owner and commercial manager of the tanker is Zest Chartering Ltd, registered in the Seychelles at Suite 10, 3rd Floor, La Ciotat, Mont Fleuri, Mahe Island Seychelles, which is widely used to register companies of owners/managers of shadow fleet tankers. Since August 2024, the ISM manager of the tanker is Neptune Navigators LLC, incorporated in Azerbaijan. As of June 05, 2025, the fleet of Neptune Navigators LLC also includes two sanctioned tankers of the russian shadow fleet - IMO 9260823 and IMO 9434890.
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 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.
On February 24, 2026, Australia 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 since May 2023 in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Black and Baltic Seas, including the use of deceptive practices (disabling AIS, in particular near the russian port of Ust-Luga).
The tanker is affiliated with Hung Phat Maritime Trading (Vietnam), which as of June 05, 2025 is the owner and commercial manager of the vessel and the fleet of which includes three other sanctioned oil tankers IMO 9284594, IMO 9326720, IMO 9374868, which are considered to be part of the shadow fleet of the russian federation.
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.
According to GISIS IMO data, as of July 14, 2025, the vessel's flag is unknown.
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.

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/petroleum products since May 2024, including the use of deceptive practices (disabling AIS, conducting dark activities, in particular in the Kola Bay area).
The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as a shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment.
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.
In June 2025, Canada 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).
On August 12, 2025, Switzerland 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 24, 2026, Australia imposed sanctions on the vessel.