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more than 100 million tons (approximately 17% of the world`s oil tanker fleet) consists of more than a thousand mostly outdated, poorly maintained vessels without proper insurance, with ‘confusing’ ownership and management structures located in ‘friendly’ jurisdictions, under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
AVA 10
Vessel name
AVA 10
IMO
9247986
Flag (Current)
Comoros Comoros
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
The tanker is involved in the transportation of Iranian, russian, and Venezuelan crude oil/petroleum products.
In January 2025, the tanker exported russian wet cargo from the russian port of Ust-Luga to Singapore.
The vessel is involved in the transportation of Iranian oil, including more than 700,000 barrels of Iranian crude oil during STS transshipment in the EOPL area of Singapore from the sanctioned tanker IMO 9284582, which loaded this cargo on the island of Kharg (Iran).
Many tankers involved in transporting Iranian oil to countries such as China are also involved in Venezuelan trade, including tanker IMO 9247986. 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.
On November 20, 2025, the United States imposed sanctions on the tanker.
On February 12, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the vessel.
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SINAR G
Vessel name
SINAR G
IMO
9323364
Flag (Current)
Cameroon Cameroon
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
During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian oil/petroleum products, the tanker was involved in the export of russian oil/petroleum products.
On October 15, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker in connection with the transportation of oil or petroleum products of russian origin from russia to a third country.
From August 2023 to September 2025, tanker IMO 9323364 was affiliated with the Indian company Peninsular Maritime India Pvt. Ltd. The Peninsular Maritime India Pvt. Ltd fleet includes shadow fleet tankers, in particular, the tanker IMO 9329760, which is involved in the transportation of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Baltic Sea, engaging in deceptive shipping practices in the Baltic Sea, used by russia as a spy platform, aimed at observing NATO naval and air activities, involved in sabotage activities in the Baltic Sea, detained on December 26, 2024, by the competent authority of Finland on suspicion of breaking the Estlink 2 submarine cable with its anchor on December 25, 2024.
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.
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