Marine vessels

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 American human rights group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), which monitors Iran-related tanker traffic using satellite data, the vessel was involved in the transportation of Iranian oil and 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 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 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.

The tanker is involved in the transportation of hundreds of metric tons of Iranian oil to China in several shipments on behalf of the sanctioned National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) and China Concord Petroleum Co Ltd. The tanker is affiliated with the Chinese company Derecttor Company Limited, which was sanctioned by USA on October 11, 2024 as part of the expansion of restrictions on Iran's oil and petrochemical sectors. Also, on October 11, 2024, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel as a property in which Derecttor Company Limited has an interest.

The vessel is involved in the delivery of Iranian oil to China. On October 11, 2024, as part of the expansion of restrictions on Iran's oil/petrochemical sector, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel as a property in which Davina Shipping Inc, which was also sanctioned by USA on October 11, 2024, has an interest.

The tanker was used by the sanctioned company China Concord Petroleum Co. Limited to deliver millions of barrels of Iranian oil from the sanctioned National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) to China. The National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) is one of the largest oil and gas companies in the world and is controlled by the Iranian Ministry of Oil. NIOC and its subsidiaries explore, produce, transport, process and export oil and natural gas in Iran. The oil deals of NIOC, including its subsidiaries, are used to generate revenue for the IRGC-QF (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) and Hizballah (Hezbollah). After russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, namely in July 2022 during putin's visit to Tehran, the National Iranian Oil Company and the russian sanctioned PJSC Gazprom signed a memorandum of understanding on strategic cooperation in the oil and gas sector worth about $40 billion. China Concord Petroleum Co., Limited is a key intermediary that helps Iran and Venezuela export crude oil to circumvent sanctions restrictions. On October 11, 2024, as part of the expansion of restrictions on Iran's oil/petrochemical sector, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel as a property in which Delnaz Ship Management Sdn Bhd (the previous manager of the tanker) has an interest.

The tanker is affiliated with Delnaz Ship Management Sdn Bhd, which was sanctioned by USA on October 11, 2024 as part of the expansion of restrictions on Iran's oil/petrochemical sector. On October 11, 2024, USA imposed sanctions on the tanker as a property in which Delnaz Ship Management Sdn Bhd has an interest.

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 Pacific region mainly to China, conducting dark activities at sea near Oman and Malaysia, and conducting deceptive practices related to the identification/location of the vessel. 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 December 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 tanker is involved in the transportation of oil products on behalf of Sepehr Energy Jahan Nama Pars Company (Sepehr Energy, under USA sanctions), controlled by the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, for the network of sanctioned financial official Houthi Saeed al-Jamal, which has provided tens of millions of dollars in illicit oil revenues to support the financing of Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. At the same time, the tanker is affiliated with Gemini Marine Limited (under USA sanctions). On October 02, 2024, USA sanctions were imposed on the vessel as a property in which Gemini Marine Limited has an interest.

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo on russian oil, the tanker has been involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports in the Baltic, black seas, and the Pacific region to third countries, and in dark activities at sea near Indonesia, China, russia, and South Korea with the AIS signal turned off. The tanker was also used to transport sanctioned Iranian oil. The tanker is affiliated with Gemini Marine Limited (under US sanctions), whose fleet transports oil products on behalf of Sepehr Energy Jahan Nama Pars Company (Sepehr Energy), controlled by the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces. Gemini Marine Limited's fleet also transported oil products for the network of sanctioned financial official Houthi Saeed al-Jamal, whose network provided tens of millions of dollars in illicit oil sales to support the financing of Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. russia has created its own shadow fleet of tankers, mostly made up of old tankers, many of which have experience operating under sanctions imposed on regimes such as Iran. Since the beginning of russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, more than 90 vessels that previously helped Tehran export Iranian oil are now helping russia transport russian oil/oil products. In May 2022, UANI predicted that russia would use a 'ghost armada' to ensure that excess profits from oil exports flow to its Chinese partner, in particular. The international public organization Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of the shadow fleet of tankers that transport russian oil around the world and threaten 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 revenues from oil exports (69% of all revenues from fossil fuel exports). 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. 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. 'Shadow fleet' of the russian federation 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 threats to environmental safety with significant economic costs for coastal countries and/or the international community due to the outdated and inadequate insurance of shadow fleet tankers. On October 02, 2024, the vessel was subject to US sanctions as a property in which Gemini Marine Limited has an interest.

The vessel is involved in the transportation of russian crude oil during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and price-cap policy on russian oil to third countries. The vessel, through its related companies, including Stream Ship Management FZCO, is affiliated with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia, a key company for servicing and supporting offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian oil, oil products and liquefied natural gas amid sanctions restrictions on russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The services provided by Sovcomflot are a significant source of income for the russian federation, as more than 70% of russia's revenues come from energy sales, which allows it to finance its war against Ukraine. The main charterers of Sovcomflot's vessels are russia's largest oil and gas companies and traders. Sovcomflot is involved in servicing major oil and gas projects in russia: ‘’Sakhalin 1‘’, ‘’Sakhalin 2‘’, ‘’Varandey‘’, ‘’Prirazlomnoye‘’, ‘’Novy Port‘’, ‘’Yamal LNG‘’ and others. Prior to russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the company's fleet consisted of about 145 vessels. After the imposition of sanctions, Sovcomflot transferred dozens of vessels to the ownership of companies it had set up, including in foreign jurisdictions, in order to circumvent them, and began the practice of constantly ‘juggling’ (transferring) vessels to related companies. The tankers ‘re-registered’ by Sovcomflot to related companies, according to expert estimates, are part of the so-called ‘shadow tanker fleet’ of the russian federation to continue selling russian oil, oil products and liquefied gas under western sanctions. On 11 September 2024, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on 10 oil tankers (including the ‘Olympiysky Prospect’ (a former name)) related to the transportation of oil or oil products from russia to third countries.

The vessel is involved in the transportation of russian crude oil during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and price-cap policy on russian oil to third countries (in particular, India) from the russian port of Ust-Luga in the Baltic Sea. The tanker is certified by the Indian regulator Indian Register of Shipping (IACS). The vessel, through its related companies, including Stream Ship Management FZCO, is affiliated with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia, a key company for servicing and supporting offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian oil, oil products and liquefied natural gas amid sanctions restrictions on russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The services provided by Sovcomflot are a significant source of income for the russian federation, as more than 70% of russia's revenues come from energy sales, which allows it to finance its war against Ukraine. The main charterers of Sovcomflot's vessels are russia's largest oil and gas companies and traders. Sovcomflot is involved in servicing major oil and gas projects in russia: ‘’Sakhalin 1‘’, ‘’Sakhalin 2‘’, ‘’Varandey‘’, ‘’Prirazlomnoye‘’, ‘’Novy Port‘’, ‘’Yamal LNG‘’ and others. Prior to russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the company's fleet consisted of about 145 vessels. After the imposition of sanctions, Sovcomflot transferred dozens of vessels to the ownership of companies it had set up, including in foreign jurisdictions, in order to circumvent them, and began the practice of constantly ‘juggling’ (transferring) vessels to related companies. The tankers ‘re-registered’ by Sovcomflot to related companies, according to expert estimates, are part of the so-called ‘shadow tanker fleet’ of the russian federation to continue selling russian oil, oil products and liquefied gas under western sanctions. On 11 September 2024, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on 10 oil tankers (including the ‘Scf Baltica’ (former name)) related to the transportation of oil or oil products from russia to third countries.

During the period of the G7 oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian oil, the tanker is involved in the export of russian oil from ports in the Baltic, Black Sea, and Pacific regions to third countries. In September 2022 and January 2023, the United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) included the tanker in a public list of vessels suspected of involvement in the transportation of sanctioned Iranian oil. The tanker is operated by Oceanlink Maritime DMCC, which was sanctioned by USA on April 04, 2024 for facilitating the transportation of Iranian goods on behalf of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces (AFGS) and the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL). On April 04, 2024, USA sanctioned the tanker 'AGNI' (formerly 'GLAUCUS') as a property in which Oceanlink Maritime DMCC has an interest for the transportation of Iranian goods. On May 14, 2024, the regulator DNV (IACS) withdrew the certification of the vessel. Against the backdrop of sanctions, russia is using a scheme of 'juggling' ships between related companies to conceal oil exports outside the price cap and other restrictions, as well as to conceal the real owners of ships, and to ensure unimpeded transportation of fossil fuels by a 'shadow' fleet of obsolete oil tankers, creates new companies for these purposes (in the UAE, Hong Kong, India, Turkey, Mauritius, Seychelles, and other jurisdictions) with non-transparent organizational and ownership structures. In order to implement this scheme, technical/commercial management and ship owners are constantly changing, and vessels are renamed with a change of flag, MMSI, call-sign, including for sanctioned vessels. Shadow fleet vessels operate under 'convenient flags', which allows them to conceal their true origin and avoid control by international organizations and insurance companies. Almost all vessels involved in the transportation of russian oil by the shadow fleet have been certified by the Indian regulator Indian Register of Shipping (IACS) since 2022. The certification of shadow fleet vessels allows the shipowner/operator to insure the vessels, which, in turn, allows the vessels to enter ports and pass through various specific sea routes (straits, canals, etc.). The 'shadow' fleet, transporting huge volumes of crude oil through heavily trafficked routes through narrow straits close to the coastline, without proper P&I insurance, with automatic identification systems disabled, threatens an environmental disaster with significant economic costs to be borne by the affected coastal countries and/or the international community. The recent incidents off Malaysia only underscore the need for swift action to curb the potentially devastating impact of the growing 'shadow fleet'. 'Shadow' tankers have already been involved in 50 incidents from the Danish Straits all the way to Malaysia since russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. According to CREA, from January to August 2024, the number of shadow tankers crossing the Danish Straits in Europe increased by 277% compared to the same period in 2022, with 64% of the 46 million tons of russian marine oil transported through the Danish Straits being transported by shadow tankers. In the same period, the number of shadow tankers in the Straits of Dover and Gibraltar increased by 355% compared to 2022, transporting 67% of the 37 million tons of oil through the straits. The Suez Canal experienced a staggering 649% increase in shadow tanker traffic, with 69% of the 52 million tons of russian crude oil passing through it being transported by these vessels. Oil exports from russia are the most important source of income for the kremlin regime to finance the war against Ukraine. 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 CREA data for September 2024, russia's revenues from crude oil exported by sea amounted to 192 million euros per day, 86% 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 14% of the total value of russian oil exported in September. Thus, russia's 'shadow fleet' continues to generate billions of dollars in revenue 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.

The vessel is engaged in transportation of russian crude oil during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo on russian oil. The vessel is owned by Oriental Carriers Co, a russian company managed by South Fleet LLC, affiliated with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia, a key company for servicing and supporting offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian oil, oil products, and liquefied natural gas amid sanctions restrictions on russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The services provided by Sovcomflot are a significant source of income for the russian federation, as more than 70% of russia's revenues come from the sale of energy, which allows it to finance its war against Ukraine. The main charterers of Sovcomflot vessels are the largest oil and gas companies and traders in russia. "Sovcomflot is involved in servicing major oil and gas projects in russia: "Sakhalin-1", "Sakhalin-2", "Varandey", "Prirazlomnoye", "Novy Port", "Yamal LNG", and others. Prior to russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the company's fleet consisted of about 145 vessels. After the sanctions were imposed, Sovcomflot transferred dozens of vessels to the ownership of companies it had set up, including in foreign jurisdictions, in order to circumvent them, and began the practice of constantly "juggling" (transferring) vessels to related companies. According to expert estimates, the tankers transferred by Sovcomflot to related companies are part of the so-called "shadow tanker fleet" of the russian federation to continue selling russian oil, oil products, and liquefied natural gas under Western sanctions. In February 2024, USA imposed sanctions on 14 vessels (including the "Liteyny Prospect") affiliated with the sanctioned company Sovcomflot as part of measures to reduce russia's oil revenues.

The vessel is engaged in transportation of russian crude oil during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo on russian oil. The vessel is owned by Universal Navigation Co LTD, a russian company, South Fleet LLC, which is affiliated with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia, a key company for servicing and supporting offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian oil, oil products, and liquefied natural gas amid sanctions restrictions on russia after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The services provided by Sovcomflot are a significant source of income for the russian federation, as more than 70% of russia's revenues come from the sale of energy, which allows it to finance its war against Ukraine. The main charterers of Sovcomflot vessels are the largest oil and gas companies and traders in russia. "Sovcomflot is involved in servicing major oil and gas projects in russia:"Sakhalin-1", "Sakhalin-2", "Varandey", "Prirazlomnoye", "Novy Port", "Yamal LNG", and others. Prior to russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the company's fleet consisted of about 145 vessels. After the sanctions were imposed, Sovcomflot transferred dozens of vessels to the ownership of companies it had set up, including in foreign jurisdictions, in order to circumvent them, and began the practice of constantly "juggling" (transferring) vessels to related companies. According to expert estimates, the tankers transferred by Sovcomflot to related companies are part of the so-called "shadow tanker fleet" of the russian federation to continue selling russian oil, oil products, and liquefied natural gas under Western sanctions. In February 2024, USA imposed sanctions on 14 vessels (including the "Nevskiy Prospect") affiliated with the sanctioned company Sovcomflot as part of measures to reduce russia's oil revenues.