Shadow Fleet

The tanker is involved in the export of 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.
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.

The tanker is involved in the export of 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.
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 21, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of the vessel.
On February 19, 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and price cap policy on russian oil/petroleum products.
The tanker is linked to sanctioned companies Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE), Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ (UAE), which managed the vessel in 2022-2024. Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE), Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ (UAE) are the part of the vast shipping empire of Iranian oil magnate and major arms supplier to russia Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, son of Ali Shamkhani, former minister of defense of Iran and chief political advisor to Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
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 19, 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

In August-September 2024, the tanker carried out STS transfers of russian crude oil/petroleum products from tanker IMO 9337901, which departed from the russian port of Tuapse. The tanker IMO 9337901 is affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management, one of the leading operators of the so-called "shadow" fleet involved in the transportation of russian crude oil/petroleum products in 2022-2023 under Western sanctions. In November 2024, an STS transfer was carried out from the sanctioned tanker IMO 9281891, involved in the transportation of sanctioned Iranian and russian oil, which departed from the port of Taman. STS transfers of russian oil were also carried out from sanctioned tankers IMO 9315446 and IMO 9271951. At the same time, there are frequent STS transfers of russian oil from tanker IMO 9294123. In particular, such transfers in the Laconikos Gulf area took place on January 10, 2025, and in early February 2025. The tanker IMO 9294123 sailed to the Laconikos Gulf from the russian port of Novorossiysk. The tanker IMO 9294123 is affiliated with Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagement, which, together with other companies (Galena Ship Management, Gaurik Ship Management, Caishan Ship Management, Plutos Ship Management, Geras Ship Management, Girik Ship Management, Orion Ship Management, Nautilus Shipping, Zidan Ship Management), was involved in a scheme to "juggle" scheme involving vessels from the Indian company Gatik. In December 2024, the tanker IMO 9402732 also carried out bunkering with the oil tanker IMO 9248801, affiliated with Gatik, in the Laconikos Gulf area.
The tanker IMO 9402732 is also affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management and Gaurik Ship Management, which is associated with Gatik.
Gatik Ship Management and Galena Ship Management were the previous managers of the tanker.
Tankers operated/managed by India's Gatik Ship Management continue to be used by affiliated companies and call at russian ports.
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 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 February 19, 2026, Canada 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 crude oil/oil products from russian ports in the Black Sea using deceptive, high-risk practices (disabling AIS, in particular, in the Kerch Strait, Malta).
The tanker is affiliated through the sanctioned companies Sun Ship Management (UAE), Oil Tankers SCF MGMT FZCO (UAE), Fornax Ship Management FZCO (UAE) 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, oil products, and liquefied gas. The major charterers of PJSC Sovcomflot's vessels are russia's largest oil and gas companies and traders. PJSC Sovcomflot is involved in servicing major oil and gas projects in russia: Sakhalin-1, Sakhalin-2, Varandey, Prirazlomnoye, Novy Port, Yamal LNG and others.
On February 24, 2025 EU imposed sanctions on a tanker associated with a sanctioned person (the sanctions come into force on February 25, 2025).
On March 04, 2025, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the tanker as a vessel associated with a sanctioned entity.
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.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/oil products under the G7+ oil embargo and the price-cap policy for russian crude oil/oil products.
The tanker is affiliated through the sanctioned companies Sun Ship Management (UAE), Oil Tankers SCF MGMT FZCO (UAE), Fornax Ship Management FZCO (UAE) 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, oil products, and liquefied gas. The major charterers of PJSC Sovcomflot's vessels are russia's largest oil and gas companies and traders. PJSC Sovcomflot is involved in servicing major oil and gas projects in russia: Sakhalin-1, Sakhalin-2, Varandey, Prirazlomnoye, Novy Port, Yamal LNG and others.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel as a property in which Fornax Ship Management FZCO has an interest.
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 September 12, 2025, the United Kingdom has 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.

The tanker transports sanctioned Iranian oil in the interests of the sanctioned Sepehr Energy Jahan Nama Pars, which is controlled by the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces (AFGS). In particular, in December 2024, Sepehr Energy transported almost 2 million barrels of Iranian oil worth more than $100 million by OXIS.
Many tankers involved in transporting Iranian oil to countries such as China are also involved in Venezuelan trade, including tanker IMO 9224805. 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.
The tanker is affiliated with the Kazakhstani company Umbra Navi Shipmanagement Corp, which was sanctioned by USA on January 10, 2025.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since September 12, 2025, the United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on the vessel as part of restrictions on the russian shadow fleet.
On February 19, 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

During the period of the G7+ oil embargo, the price cap policy on russian crude oil/oil products, the tanker is involved in the transportation of russian crude oil/oil products, in particular from russian ports in the Black Sea, and engages in deceptive, high-risk practices with AIS disabled, in particular in the Kerch Strait (a transshipment hub where STS operations for russian crude oil/oil products are organized).
The tanker calls at ports in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, in particular the port of Kamysh-Burun.
In March-May 2023, the tanker was involved in the export of several batches of oil products from the russian port of Tuapse, the shipper of the cargoes was Amur Trading FZCO, the sanctioned PJSC Oil Company Rosneft, and the recipient was Tejarinaft FZCO. There is a production complex in Tuapse belonging to the sanctioned Rosneft - the Tuapse Refinery with a marine terminal.
The vessel is affiliated with Maritas Fleet PVT LTD (India), which was the former ISM manager of the tanker. Maritas Fleet PVT LTD was founded in December 2022 in Mumbai. This company is associated with the ISM management of tankers affiliated with the sanctioned company Hennesea Holdings Limited (UAE), which shortly before the price cap policy came into force acquired 18 oil tankers transporting russian sanctioned crude oil/oil products and was sanctioned by USA for violation of the price cap.
The vessel is operated by Avision Shipping Services Private Limited (IMO 6454662), which was sanctioned by USA on January 10, 2025.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.
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 19, 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is involved in the export of sanctioned russian oil products from russian ports, mainly in the Black Sea, to Turkey and other third countries using deceptive, high-risk practices (disabling AIS).
The vessel, through related companies, including the sanctioned Stream Ship Management FZCO, Sun Ship Management, Oil Tankers SCF MGMT FZCO, affiliated with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia that services and supports offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian crude oil, oil products, and liquefied natural gas. The major charterers of PJSC Sovcomflot's vessels are russia's largest oil and gas companies and traders. PJSC Sovcomflot is involved in servicing major oil and gas projects in russia: Sakhalin-1, Sakhalin-2, Varandey, Prirazlomnoye, Novy Port, Yamal LNG and others. After the sanctions were imposed, PJSC Sovcomflot transferred dozens of vessels to the ownership of companies it had set up, including in foreign jurisdictions, and began the practice of constantly 'juggling' (transferring) vessels to related companies. According to expert estimates, the tankers 're-registered' by PJSC Sovcomflot to related companies are part of the so-called 'shadow tanker fleet' of the russian federation to continue selling russian crude oil, oil products, and liquefied natural gas under Western sanctions.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.
From February 25, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions on the tanker (sanctions were amended on July 18, 2025).
On March 04, 2025, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the tanker as a vessel associated with a sanctioned entity.
According to the database of the Global Integrated Shipping Information System of the International Maritime Organization (IMO's GISIS), as of July 21, 2025, the vessel's registration name is SAPPHIRE, the flag of Barbados. At the same time, the vessel sails under the flag of the Comoros.
On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom 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.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian oil/oil products from russian ports in the Black and Azov Seas, mainly to Turkey and Egypt, using deceptive practices (disabling AIS, spoofing), including in the Kerch Strait area. In October 2023, the vessel carried out STS transmissions with the oil product tanker BORAY (IMO 9198783) with a deadweight of almost 75 thousand tons, which was sanctioned by USA in January 2025 as property in which the sanctioned company Sunor International LLC, which is involved in the energy sector of the russian economy, has an interest.
The vessel belongs to the russian company Middle Volga Shipping Company LLC (subject to Ukrainian sanctions), which is a supplier to the sanctioned JSC Rosnefteflot under the russian state procurement system (at least under two contracts worth 94.4 million rubles). Rosnefteflot JSC is a part of the group of the sanctioned russian PJSC Rosneft Oil Company, a russian state-owned oil and gas company, one of the world's largest oil producers. The main activities of Rosnefteflot JSC are, in particular, chartering of the tanker fleet for the benefit of Rosneft, organization of river transportation in the interests of Rosneft in the Volga-Don, Azov-Don, Volga and Volga-Baltic basins.
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 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.

During the period of the G7+ 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, in particular, from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas, and in deceptive, high-risk practices (turning off AIS, in particular, in the Kerch Strait in the Black Sea, the russian port of Ust-Luga, near Oman).
The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of a shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment.
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.

The tanker during the period of the G7+ oil embargo and price-cap policy on russian crude oil/oil products is involved in the export of russian crude oil/oil products from russian ports in the Baltic Sea, using deceptive, high-risk practices.
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 vessel was involved in the transportation of sanctioned Iranian oil.
Since February 25, March 04, 2025 EU and Switzerland respectively have imposed sanctions on the tanker for transporting crude oil/oil products originating in or exported from russia using irregular and high-risk shipping practices as specified in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly resolution A.1192 (33).
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.