Marine vessels

The vessel is involved in the transportation of russian crude oil during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo on russian oil and the price cap policy at $60 per barrel of russian oil. The tanker was transporting russian Urals crude oil at a price of more than $70 after the price-cap policy came into effect. The owner and manager of the tanker is Kroeger Tankers Fze (UAE), the previous owner was HS Atlantica Limited (Liberia), a sanctioned company involved in the transportation of crude oil originating in russia. In January 2024, USA imposed sanctions on the HS Atlantica (current name Avril) for violating the price-cap policy.

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 December 2023 in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Pacific region, in the Baltic Sea to third countries, and has been involved in dark activities in the Baltic Sea near the russian ports of Vistino and Ust-Luga, and STS transfers near Malta. In 2024, a tanker under the command of Captain Suo Zhenguo (Chinese nationality) transported russian petroleum products from the port of Ust-Luga to the UAE. Since November 2023, the tanker's owner and managers have been changed to Chinese companies.

The tanker has been involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports since November 2023, including the deceptive, high-risk practices of conducting dark activities in the Baltic and Black Seas near russian ports. In 2024, a tanker under the command of Captain Tran Thang Tat (a Vietnamese national) transported petroleum products originating from the sanctioned russian oil company PJSC Lukoil from the russian port of Vysotsk to Malaysia. The tanker carried out an STS transfer in March 2025 in the Kerch Strait with tanker IMO 9235000, which is classified by the international NGO Greenpeace as a shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian crude oil around the world and threatening the environment. In February 2025, an STS transfer took place in the Laconikos Gulf (Greece) with the VLCC-class supertanker IMO 9402732, 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, and Gatik's related company Gaurik Ship Management, which in 2023, together with Galena Ship Management LLP, Caishan Ship Management, Plutos Ship Management, Geras Ship Management, Girik Ship Management, Orion Ship Management LLP, Nautilus Shipping (India), Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment LLC, Zidan Ship Management, was involved in a scheme to ‘juggle’ vessels operated by Gatik Ship Management to avoid sanctions.

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 from russian ports in the Baltic Sea (Ust-Luga, Primorsk), including the use of deceptive, high-risk practices in the Baltic Sea near the russian ports of Vistino and Ust-Luga. In particular, in February 2025, near the russian ports of Vistino and Ust-Luga in the Baltic Sea, a tanker carried out STS transshipment of commodity from the tanker IMO 9164718, flagged by the russian federation. In 2024, a tanker under the command of captains Mikhail Stryzhak, Andrey Lemeshko and Vladislav Pavitsky transported russian crude oil, mainly originating from the sanctioned russian oil company PJSC Lukoil, from the ports of Primorsk and Ust-Luga to India and Turkey. The tanker is affiliated with Stellar Ship Solutions LLC (IMO 0055533), registered at an address in Azerbaijan (Apartment 18, Building 6, Estate 76, AZ 5006, Sumqayit), which is almost identical to the addresses of other companies from Azerbaijan that manage tankers involved in the sanctioned trade in russian crude oil/petroleum products (Fleetcraft Management LLC (address: Apartment 17, Building 5, Estate 76, Sulh Street AZ 5006, Sumqayit Azerbaijan), Titan Marine Management LLC (address: Apartment 17, Building 30, Estate 18, AZ 5000, Sumqayit Azerbaijan), Light Navigation LLC (address: Apartment 130, House 5, Block 15, AZ 5000, Sumqayit Azerbaijan), Aegis Voyage Shipmanagement (address: Apartment 6, House 34, Block 18, Heydar Aliyev Avenue AZ 5000, Sumqayit Azerbaijan), etc. 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.

The tanker has been involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas since February 2023 (almost immediately after the introduction of the G7 and EU oil embargo and price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products). During this period, from February 2023, the tanker was managed by the Indian company Gatik Ship Management, which in 2022-2023 was one of the top players in the shadow tanker fleet involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products in the face of Western sanctions. Until August 2024, technical management was carried out by companies related to Gatik Ship Management - Orion Ship Management, Caishan Ship Management, which, together with Gaurik Ship Management LLP, Plutos Ship Management, Geras Ship Management, Girik Ship Management, Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment LLC, Zidan Ship Management, were involved in a scheme to "juggle" vessels managed by Gatik Ship Management to avoid sanctions. Since the second half of 2024, the tanker has been actively involved in STS transfers in transshipment areas, in particular near Greece and Italy with tankers that came to transshipment areas from russian ports. In December 2024, an STS transfer took place near Greece with the tanker IMO 9397535, affiliated with the sanctioned russian PJSC Sovcomflot, and on January 10, 2025, USA sanctions were imposed on the IMO 9397535. Also, in December 2024, an STS transfer took place near Greece with the tanker IMO 9343986, which left the port of Tuapse on December 11, 2024. At the same time, the technical management of the tanker IMO 9343986 is carried out by Valegro LLC-FZ (IMO 0080182, UAE), which also manages the tanker IMO 9276561, which is considered part of the shadow fleet and was sanctioned by EU and Switzerland in 2025. In October 2024, an STS transfer took place near the port of Augusta (Italy) with the tanker IMO 9290517, affiliated with Gatik Ship Management, which arrived in the Augusta area from russian ports in the Baltic Sea (St. Petersburg, Ust-Luga). On August 14, 2024, an STS transfer took place near Greece with the tanker IMO 9278698, which left the russian port of Tuapse on August 08, 2024. On April 11, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of vessel IMO 9289776.

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 from russian ports since March 2023, using deceptive, high-risk practices, in particular, conducting dark operations near russian ports in the Black Sea, and making STS transmissions in high-risk areas. On January 15, 2025, a tanker in the vicinity of the port of Malacca (Malaysia) made an STS transmission with the super tanker IMO 9288083, and the vessel IMO 9289518 arrived in the Malacca area from the russian port of Novorossiysk. In July 2024, an STS transfer took place in the Kerch Strait with tanker IMO 9224441, affiliated with the sanctioned russian PJSC Sovcomflot. The vessel is affiliated with one of the leading operators of the so-called 'shadow' fleet, Radiating World Shipping Services LLC (UAE, under UK sanctions). At the beginning of 2023, Radiating World Shipping Services LLC was one of the three largest carriers of russian oil, along with Fractal Marine Shipping (UAE) and Gatik Ship Management (India). At that time, the fleet of Fractal Marine Shipping, Radiating World Shipping Services and Gatik Ship Management consisted of about 90 tankers, 90% of which transported crude oil and petroleum products from the Baltic and Black Sea ports of russia to India, China, Turkey, the Middle East, Africa and South America. In order to circumvent the sanctions, Radiating World Shipping Services 're-signed' its fleet to related companies. Tankers operated/managed by Radiating World Shipping Services LLC continue to be used by related companies and call at russian ports.

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and price-cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, the tanker has been involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products since January 2024, in particular, using deceptive high-risk practices, including in the transshipment area near Greece. In April and December 2024, STS transfers took place near Greece with tankers IMO 9352195 and IMO 9299862, affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management, one of the leading shadow fleet operators that played a key role in the transportation of russian crude oil/petroleum products under Western sanctions, and in December 2024 with tanker IMO 9266475, which was subject to USA sanctions on February 24, 2025. In December 2023, Blossom Bridge Corp (IMO 6437580), registered in the Seychelles at Suite 10, 3rd Floor, La Ciotat, Mont Fleuri, Mahe Island Seychelles, which is widely used for registration of shipping companies with non-transparent ownership structure, became the owner and commercial manager of the tanker, and the Moldovan company Surt Ship Management SRL became the technical manager. This Moldovan company is one of the ten Moldovan companies that played a significant role in the maritime transportation of russian crude oil and petroleum products in 2024. In September 2024, the technical management was transferred to Seafaring Savants LLC (Azerbaijan), while the owner and commercial manager of the tanker did not change, which may indicate that the beneficiary of the vessel has not changed. After the change of management, the tanker continues to make calls to russian ports with oil terminals.

Since June 2023, the tanker has been involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products, in particular, using deceptive, high-risk practices (disabling AIS and conducting dark activities, in particular, in the Kerch Strait area, STS transfers of wet cargo). The vessel calls at the ports of the TOT of Ukraine, in particular, it called at the port of Feodosia in January 2025. The tanker is affiliated with the Moldovan company FLC Shipmanagement SRL, which was the technical manager of the vessel from June 2023 to August 2024. Since August 2024, technical management has been transferred to Voyage Guard Shipmanagement LLC (Azerbaijan). As of April 07, 2025, the fleet of Voyage Guard Shipmanagement LLC consists of three oil tankers. In addition to IMO 9278064, the company's fleet includes tankers IMO 9183295 (management was transferred from the Moldovan company FLC Shipmanagement SRL), IMO 9265885 (management was transferred from the Moldovan company MRK Shipmanagement SRL). The owner/commercial manager of the tanker remains New Dawn Marine Corp, registered in the Seychelles, at an address that is widely used for registration of shipowners/managers of vessels involved in the sanctioned trade in russian crude oil/petroleum products. After the change of management, the tanker continues to call at Russian ports with oil terminals.

Since March 2023, after the introduction of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, the tanker has been actively involved in the export of russian oil/oil products from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas, including using deceptive, high-risk practices. The vessel resorts to conducting shadow activities, STS transmissions, in particular, in the area of the Kerch Strait, Russian ports in the Black Sea. In March 2025, an STS transfer took place in the Kerch Strait area with the tanker IMO 9224441, affiliated with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, russia's largest state-owned shipping company for servicing and supporting offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian crude oil, petroleum 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. In January 2025, an STS transfer with tanker IMO 9252448 took place near the port of Malacca (Malaysia), and tanker IMO 9265885 arrived in the Malacca port area from the russian port of Novorossiysk. On December 31, 2024, an STS transfer took place near the russian port of Gelendzhik with the sanctioned tanker IMO 9299666, affiliated with the Indian company Caishan Ship Management, which is associated 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 under Western sanctions. The tanker makes calls at the ports of the TOT of Ukraine, in particular, the port of Kamysh-Burun (TOT Crimea of Ukraine). The tanker is affiliated with the Moldovan company MRK Shipmanagement SRL, which became the technical manager of the vessel in March 2023, while in February 2023 Prime Choice Navigation Ltd (IMO 6386805) became the owner and commercial manager of the tanker, registered in the Seychelles at Suite 10, 3rd Floor, La Ciotat, Mont Fleuri, Mahe Island Seychelles, which is widely used for registration of shipping companies involved in the transportation of russian crude oil/petroleum products. Since August 2024, the technical management has been transferred to Voyage Guard Shipmanagement (Azerbaijan), while the owner/commercial manager has not changed. After the change of management, the tanker continues to call at russian ports with oil terminals.

Since August 2023, after the introduction of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, the tanker has been actively involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas, including using deceptive, high-risk practices. The vessel is engaged in shadow activities, STS transmissions, in particular in the vicinity of russian ports in the Black Sea. In November 2023, an STS transfer took place near Greece with the tanker IMO 9334557, 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 under Western sanctions. There is also an STS transmission with the tanker IMO 9384095, affiliated with MRK Shipmanagement SRL (Moldova) and Tidal Tech Mariners LLC (Azerbaijan), which are among dozens of companies from Moldova and Azerbaijan involved in the management of the fleet of wet cargo tankers of russian origin, which played a significant role in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products under Western sanctions. The tanker is affiliated with the Moldovan company BPC Shipmanagement SRL, which became the commercial and technical manager of the vessel in May 2023, while in May 2023 the owner of the vessel became Blue Sea Navigation Ltd (IMO 6390405), registered in the Seychelles at Suite 10, 3rd Floor, La Ciotat, Mont Fleuri, Mahe Island Seychelles, which is widely used for registration of shipping companies involved in the transportation of russian crude oil/petroleum products. Since April 2024, commercial management has been transferred to the company-owner, technical management - to Vvave Minder Shipmanagement (Azerbaijan) since August 2024, Tidal Tech Mariners LLC (Azerbaijan) since February 2025, while the company-owner has not changed, which may indicate the unchanged beneficiary of the vessel. After the change of management, the tanker continues to call at russian ports with oil terminals.

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 Kamysh-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.

The tanker during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and price-cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products has been involved in exporting russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Baltic Sea since October 2023, and has been engaged in deceptive, high-risk practices, including dark activities in the Kerch Strait area. In October 2024, the tanker carried out STS transmissions in the Kerch Strait with IMO tankers 9212008 (under USA sanctions), IMO 9211999 (under USA sanctions), and IMO tanker 9476771, affiliated with a russian company. In 2024, the tanker, under the command of captains Alexander Grigoriev, Ivan Shashin, and Alexander Peregrov, transported crude oil and petroleum products from the russian ports of Ust-Luga and Primorsk to India, Turkey, and China. 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 Unired Against Nuclear Iran, the tanker was involved in the export of Iranian oil and was involved in the transportation of sanctioned russian crude oil/oil products. The tanker is affiliated with the Moldovan company KSN Shipmanagement SRL, which is one of ten Moldovan companies that played a significant role in the maritime transportation of russian oil and transferred the management of the tankers in the fleet to a number of companies from Azerbaijan, while some vessels were transferred to the management of companies from the UAE.