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more than 100 million tons (approximately 17% of the world`s oil tanker fleet) consists of more than a thousand mostly outdated, poorly maintained vessels without proper insurance, with ‘confusing’ ownership and management structures located in ‘friendly’ jurisdictions, under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
IRTYSH RIVER
Vessel name
IRTYSH RIVER
IMO
9435375
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 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products.
The tanker calls at ports in the TOT Crimea of Ukraine.
The tanker is affiliated with the russian company Eneya LLC (TIN 6164136080). Eneya LLC is affiliated with the sanctioned Jamaldin Pashayev and is involved in covert supplies to Syria in the interests of the russian Ministry of Defense (in particular, aviation fuel). Since October 2024, the General Director of Enea LLC has been Magomed Aliyevich Abdulatipov (TIN 053689064586), who for a long period of time before October 2024 was the head of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "Administration of the Caspian Sea Ports". Jamaldin Pashayev's enterprises have been involved in russian military exports since 2021 and have concluded more than 200 agreements on the sea transportation of military cargo around the world. Jamaldin Pashayev and his companies have been an integral part of the ongoing transfer of lethal aid to the sanctioned russian company SEZ Alabuga, which is one of the main UAV assembly plants for the russian Ministry of Defense with the support of Iran. Jamaldin Pashayev is affiliated with the sanctioned shipping company MG-Flot LLC, whose fleet is involved in the transportation of weapons from Syria, Iran, North Korea to russia, as well as Iranian oil.
On May 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions, which enter into force on May 21, 2025, on the tanker for the transportation of crude oil/petroleum products originating in or exported from russia, using irregular high-risk shipping practices as specified in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly Resolution A.1192(33).
On June 03, 2025, the sanctions imposed by Switzerland on the vessel came into force.
On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since May 2025, the ship has been operating routes between russia and Iran via the Caspian Sea.
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.
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CROCO
Vessel name
CROCO
IMO
9327360
Flag (Current)
russian federation russian federation
Vessel Type
Chemical/Oil Products Tanker
Category
Transportation of fossil fuels in violation of sanctions and other restrictions
icon arrow-tree Transporting russian crude oil / petroleum products
The tanker during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products.
The tanker calls at the russian terminal Sheskharis, which is a transshipment complex and the end point of the main pipelines of JSC Chernomortransneft (TIN 2315072242, under USA sanctions) — a subsidiary of the sanctioned russian company Transneft (TIN 7706061801).
In November and December 2023, the tanker, ordered by Tupras Turkiye Petrol Rafinerileri A.S., was involved in the export of several batches of oil products from the russian port of Tuapse, with the sanctioned PJSC Oil Company Rosneft as the consignor. Also, in January 2024, by order of Tejarinaft FZCO (UAE), the vessel was involved in the export of a batch of oil products from the russian port of Tuapse, the consignor was Amur Trading FZCO (UAE). There is a production complex in Tuapse belonging to the sanctioned PJSC Oil Company Rosneft - Tuapse Oil Refinery with a marine terminal.
On May 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions, which will enter into force on May 21, 2025, on the tanker for the transportation of crude oil/petroleum products originating in or exported from russia, using irregular high-risk shipping practices as specified in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly Resolution A.1192(33).
On June 03, 2025, the sanctions imposed by Switzerland on the vessel came into force.
On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 19, 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
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SEAHORSE
Vessel name
SEAHORSE
IMO
9266750
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 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products.
The vessel calls at ports in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, in particular in June 2025 at the port of Kamysh-Burun, and in July 2025 at the ports of Kerch and Kamysh-Burun.
The vessel is also involved in the transportation of Iranian crude oil and petroleum products. Since russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, more than 100 vessels that previously helped Iran export oil are now helping russia transport russian crude oil and petroleum products.
Many tankers involved in transporting Iranian oil to countries such as China are also involved in Venezuelan trade, including tanker IMO 9266750. 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 cargo is transported by ships belonging to the sanctioned National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) in both directions. A significant number of ships flying under foreign (non-Iranian) flags are also involved in this trade.
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.
On February 21, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of the vessel.
On February 19, 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
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SKIRON
Vessel name
SKIRON
IMO
9247443
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
Since July 2024, the tanker, which does not have proper insurance from the International P&I Club, has been focused on transshipment in the area of Greece and Cyprus by making STS transfers of russian wet cargo mainly from the russian ports of Tuapse and Novorossiysk, as well as from the Taman crude oil/petroleum products transshipment complex, Primorsk and Ust-Luga. Such deliveries from russian ports for further transshipment in European waters are carried out by a number of tankers, in particular, affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management, one of the largest operators of the russian shadow fleet, which in 2022-2023 played a key role in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products under Western sanctions.
Transshipment of crude oil/petroleum products of russian origin at sea using the STS method allows to conceal ownership and origin of the cargo, and legalize their supply to the EU, USA and other countries. In turn, the sale of crude oil/petroleum products on the world market allows accumulating significant financial resources in the state budget of the russian federation, which are used, among other things, to build up the military potential of the aggressor state and to provide material support for russia's military operations on the territory of Ukraine.
The first STS transmission since July 2024 in the Gulf of Laconikos took place on July 23, 2024 with the tanker IMO 9412177, which arrived in the area near Greece from the russian port of Primorsk.
Subsequent STS transmissions with russian affiliation took place in the area near Greece:
July 31, 2024 with tanker IMO 9340116, which arrived from the russian port of Tuapse;
August 02, 2024 with tanker IMO 9374416, which arrived from the russian port of Tuapse;
onAugust 09, 2024 with the tanker IMO 9315757, which arrived from the Taman crude oil/petroleum products transshipment complex;
on August 12, 2024 with the tanker IMO 9263203, which arrived from the port of Tuapse;
on August 14, 2024 with the tanker IMO 9228784, which arrived from the port of Tuapse;
On August 17, 2024, with the tanker IMO 9260067 (under USA sanctions since October 17, 2024), which arrived from the ports of Gelendzhik and Tuapse;
on August 19, 2024, with the tanker IMO 9278698, which arrived from the port of Tuapse;
OnAugust 28, 2024, with the tanker IMO 9263186, which arrived from the ports of Gelendzhik and Novorossiysk;
on August 29, 2024, with the tanker IMO 9318034 (affiliated with the shadow operator Gatik Ship Management), which arrived from the port of Tuapse;
on September 15, 2024, with the tanker IMO 9251456, which arrived from the port of Tuapse;
on October 17, November 15, December 08, 2024, January 06, 2025 with the tanker IMO 9234501, which arrived from the Taman crude oil/petroleum products transshipment complex and the port of Novorossiysk;
On November 03 and 29, 2024, with tanker IMO 9327372 (under sanctions of the EU, Switzerland, the United Kingdom), which is affiliated with the shadow operator Gatik Ship Management and arrived from the ports of Tuapse and Gelendzhik;
on November 13 and 26, 2024, with the tanker IMO 9353096 (under sanctions of the United Kingdom, Canada, the EU, Switzerland), which arrived from the port of Tuapse;
on December 05, 2024 with the tanker IMO 9266475 (under sanctions of the United Kingdom, EU, Switzerland), which arrived from the Taman crude oil/petroleum products transshipment complex;
on December 17, 2024 with the tanker IMO 9299862 (affiliated with the shadow operator Gatik Ship Management), which arrived from the port of Tuapse;
in December 2024, January 2025 with the tanker IMO 9272931 (affiliated with the Indian company Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment, which was one of the ten companies that participated in the juggling of vessels from the Gatik Ship Management fleet).
At the same time, there were STS transfers in the area of Greece with other tankers affiliated with Gatik Ship Management, namely IMO 9299123 (in September, October, November 2024); IMO 9352195 (in September and December 2024); repeated transfers with IMO 9253234.
After STS transfers with IMO tanker 9247443, which acts as an STS hub for transshipment of russian crude oil/petroleum products, some of these tankers head to Libyan ports, in particular, Benghazi, which has no refineries and no direct connection to Libyan oil wells. According to the international NGO Greenpeace, some of the fuel imported by Libya, which is subject to the subsidy program, is loaded into large tanker trucks that transport it to small old tankers waiting in the old port. The vessels then leave the port with fake certificates and disabled AIS transmitters to smuggle the fuel at market price. This is the way to illegally trade in russian crude oil/oil products.
On May 09, 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 will enter into force on May 21, 2025, on the tanker for the transportation of crude oil/petroleum products originating in or exported from russia, using irregular high-risk shipping practices as 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 19, 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
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KATRAN
Vessel name
KATRAN
IMO
9260275
Flag (Current)
Sierra Leone Sierra Leone
Vessel Type
Chemical/Oil Products 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 is actively involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas, including with the use of deceptive practices, including in the Kerch Strait area. The vessel calls at the ports of the TOT of Ukraine, in particular, in March 2025, it called at the port of Komysh-Burun (TOT of Crimea of Ukraine).
Since August 2024, the current owner and commercial manager of the tanker is Omni Torrent Ltd, registered in the Seychelles at Suite 10, 3rd Floor, La Ciotat, Mont Fleuri, Mahe Island Seychelles, which is massively used for registration of shipping companies involved in the transportation of russian crude oil/petroleum products. The previous owner and manager of the tanker was Hung Phat Maritime Trading from Vietnam, affiliated with the sanctioned tankers IMO 9223540, IMO 9284594, which, in turn, are affiliated with another company from Vietnam - Sao Viet Petrol Transportation Company Limited, which was sanctioned by USA on January 10, 2025 for its activities in the energy sector of the russian economy.
The technical manager of the vessel since August 2024 is Nautical Unity Shipmanagement (Azerbaijan). As of April 08, 2025, Nautical Unity Shipmanagement manages two more tankers, in addition to the IMO 9260275: IMO 9253076, IMO 9292838. The vessel IMO 9253076 from the Nautical Unity Shipmanagement fleet is classified by the international NGO Greenpeace as a shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world through the Baltic Sea, the Cadet Canal area in the Bay of Mecklenburg and threatening the environment. At the same time, the tanker IMO 9253076, currently managed by Nautical Unity Shipmanagement, is affiliated with Sao Viet Petrol Transportation Company Limited from Vietnam, which is involved in the transportation of sanctioned Iranian oil, which is subject to USA sanctions, as well as Akara Navigation LLC (Azerbaijan), which until February 2025 was responsible for the technical management of the tanker. Akara Navigation LLC, in turn, managed the safety of two other shadow fleet vessels involved in the transportation of sanctioned russian oil, IMO 9233741, IMO 9262924, with the tanker IMO 9262924 identified by the International NGO Greenpeace as part of the shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment.
After the change of management, the tanker continues to make calls at russian ports with oil terminals.
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.
On October 15, 2025, the United Kingdom 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.
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ETERNAL PEACE
Vessel name
ETERNAL PEACE
IMO
9259745
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
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 russian ports, including through STS transfers with vessels with russian affiliation, in particular in the Arctic region, near Indian ports, using deceptive, high-risk practices (conducting dark activities near the russian ports of Novorossiysk, Gelendzhik in the Black Sea, in the Kola Bay area).
In August 2023, an STS transfer took place in the Kola Bay (russia) with the tanker IMO 9372547 (under USA sanctions), intended to transport crude oil from the Varandey terminal in the Pechora Sea to the port of Murmansk, which also calls at the Prirazlomnoye platform in the Pechora Sea (the exploration of the Prirazlomnoye Arctic offshore oil field is carried out by the sanctioned Gazprom Neft Shelf LLC (a 100% subsidiary of the sanctioned Gazprom Neft PJSC).
In December 2023, an STS transfer took place near the Indian port of Mumbai with the tanker IMO 9339337 (under USA, Canada, UK, EU, Switzerland sanctions) involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products, which arrived in the area of the Indian port of Mumbai from the russian port of Primorsk to make the STS transfer.
Both tankers IMO 9372547 and IMO 9339337, with which tanker IMO 9259745 carried out STS transfers with russian affiliation, are associated 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 natural gas, whose main charterers are the largest oil and gas companies and traders in russia. The tanker IMO 9339337 arrived in the area of the Indian port of Mumbai from the russian port of Primorsk to carry out the STS transfer.
The tanker is affiliated with Star Ocean Shipmanage Ltd ( China, Marshall Islands), which manages the vessel and was sanctioned by USA on September 25, 2024 for material assistance, sponsorship or provision of financial, material or technological support, goods or services to or in support of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps - Quds Force.
On September 25, 2024, USA imposed sanctions on the tanker as a property in which the sanctioned company Star Ocean Shipmanage Ltd has an interest.
On May 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions, which will enter into force on May 21, 2025, on the tanker for the transportation of crude oil/petroleum products originating in or exported from russia, using irregular high-risk shipping practices as specified in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly Resolution A.1192(33).
On June 03, 2025, the sanctions imposed by Switzerland on the vessel came into force.
On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
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.
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