Shadow Fleet

Marine vessels involved in the transportation of sanctioned oil
Total number:
1468
Marine vessels
545
Masters
Updated: 23.09.2026
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more than 100 million tons (approximately 17% of the world`s oil tanker fleet) consists of more than a thousand mostly outdated, poorly maintained vessels without proper insurance, with ‘confusing’ ownership and management structures located in ‘friendly’ jurisdictions, under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: 90 603 тис.тоннTotal: 892
ZHUO YUAN
Vessel name
ZHUO YUAN
IMO
9408683
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
The tanker, during the period of the oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil and petroleum products, is involved in the export of russian crude oil from russian ports on the Black Sea and in the Pacific region to India and China in the interests of the largest russian oil companies.
Specifically, in May 2025, the tanker exported russian ESPO crude from the port of Kozmino to India (Paradip) in the interests of PJSC Oil Company "Rosneft" and PJSC "Surgutneftegaz" . In June 2025, the vessel exported russian ESPO crude from the port of Kozmino to India (Paradip) in the interests of PJSC Oil Company "Rosneft".
In January 2026, the tanker transported russian ESPO crude oil from the port of Kozmino to China in the interests of Redwood Global Supply FZ-LLC (UAE), which was sanctioned by the United Kingdom on December 18, 2025, for activities in the energy sector of the russian economy. Redwood Global Supply FZ-LLC is the largest exporter of russian crude oil within the shadow network of russian oil traders — the "2Rivers Group" (Coral Energy). Key roles in this network are played by several azerbaijani traders: Tahir Garayev, Etibar Eyyub, Talat Safarov, and Ahmed Kerimov.
In February 2026, the vessel exported russian ESPO crude oil from the port of Kozmino to China in the interests of PJSC Oil Company "Rosneft" and PJSC "Surgutneftegaz".
In August and September 2025, the tanker exported russian crude oil from the russian Black Sea port to India in the interests of PJSC Lukoil.
On February 12, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since July 24, 2026, the EU has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
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ANAYA
Vessel name
ANAYA
IMO
9326885
Flag (Current)
unknown
Vessel Type
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+ oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude and petroleum products, has been involved in the export of russian petroleum products from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas, using deceptive, high-risk shipping practices.
Specifically, in March 2026, the tanker exported over 511,000 barrels of petroleum products from the port of Taman to India on behalf of PJSC Gazprom.
Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE) is considered one of the leading operators of the shadow fleet, which in early 2023 was among the three largest carriers of Russian oil, along with Radiating World Shipping Services LLC (UAE) and Gatik Ship Management (India), and played a significant role in the export of russian oil to countries around the world during the period of sanctions restrictions. Fractal Marine DMCC managed a fleet of 28 tankers as an intermediary between shipowners and charterers.
Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE) and Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ (UAE) are part of a shipping empire controlled by Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, son of Ali Shamkhani, the chief political advisor to Iran's supreme leader. Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani uses his father's political influence to corrupt top-level officials in the Iranian regime in order to build and operate a huge fleet of tankers and container ships. This fleet transports oil and petroleum products from Iran and Russia, as well as other cargoes, to buyers around the world, generating tens of billions of dollars in profits.
Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani's shipping empire consists of a vast fleet of vessels, ship management companies, and front companies that launder billions of dollars in profits from the global sale of Iranian and Russian crude oil and petroleum products, mostly to buyers in China. The shipping empire takes significant measures to conceal its operations and obscure its ties to the Shamkhani family, Iran, and Russia.
Fractal Marine DMCC has played an important role in the management and operation of the tanker and container ship fleet of Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani's shipping network. Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ (UAE) performs the operational functions of Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani's shipping network fleet.
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 April 15, 2026, the United States imposed sanctions on a tanker as part of restrictions targeting the fleet of Mohammed Hossein Shamkhani’s shipping empire, which is involved in the transportation of russian crude oil and petroleum products.
Since July 24, 2026, the EU has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
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BELLARIS
Vessel name
BELLARIS
IMO
9332614
Flag (Current)
unknown
Vessel Type
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+ 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.
The tanker is linked to sanctioned companies Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE), Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ (UAE), and Algae Ship Charter FZCO (UAE), which managed the vessel in 2023-2024.
Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE) is considered one of the leading operators of the shadow fleet, which in early 2023 was among the three largest carriers of russian crude oil, together with Radiating World Shipping Services LLC (UAE) and Gatik Ship Management (India), and played a significant role in the export of the russian crude oil to countries around the world during the period of sanctions restrictions. Fractal Marine DMCC managed a fleet of 28 tankers as an intermediary between shipowners and charterers.
Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE), Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ (UAE), and Algae Ship Charter FZCO (UAE) are part of a shipping empire controlled by the sanctioned Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, son of Ali Shamkhani, the chief political advisor to Iran's supreme leader. Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani uses his father's political influence to corrupt top-level officials in the Iranian regime in order to build and operate a huge fleet of tankers and container ships. This fleet transports crude oil and petroleum products from Iran and russia, as well as other cargoes, to buyers around the world, generating tens of billions of dollars in profits. Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani's shipping empire consists of a vast fleet of vessels, ship management companies, and front companies that launder billions of dollars in profits from the global sale of Iranian and russian crude oil and petroleum products, mostly to buyers in the PRC. The shipping empire takes significant measures to conceal its operations and obscure its ties to the Shamkhani family, Iran, and russia.
Fractal Marine DMCC has played an important role in the management and operation of the tanker and container ship fleet of Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani's shipping network. Algae Ship Charter FZCO and Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ (UAE) provide operational services for Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani's shipping network fleet.
Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ provided technical management of the vessel IMO 9308065, which was involved in an incident in the Baltic Sea due to technical malfunctions. On January 10, 2025, the vessel IMO 9308065, loaded with russian oil (99 thousand tons) in the port of Ust-Luga, lost control in the Baltic Sea. According to the German Havariekommando, the vessel's power supply system and engine failed, it lost its ability to maneuver and began to drift at low speed in the open sea near the island of Rügen. This incident once again demonstrates the growing threat of oil spills by outdated shadow fleet vessels.
On April 15, 2026, the United States imposed sanctions on a tanker as part of restrictions targeting the fleet of Mohammed Hossein Shamkhani’s shipping empire, which is involved in the transport of russian crude oil and petroleum products.
Since July 24, 2026, the EU has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
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VIRENT
Vessel name
VIRENT
IMO
9332171
Flag (Current)
unknown
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
Tanker during the period of the G7 oil embargo, EU, price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports on the Baltic and Black Seas, including on behalf of PJSC Surgutneftegaz and PJSC Tatneft.
The tanker is affiliated with sanctioned companies FRACTAL MARINE DMCC (UAE), TARABYA LOGISTICS LTD (UAE), and WANTA SHIPPING L.L.C-FZ (UAE), which managed the vessel from December 2022 to December 2024. These companies are part of the shipping empire of Iranian oil magnate and major arms supplier to russia Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, son of Ali Shamkhani, former Iranian defense minister and chief political adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani's shipping empire consists of a huge fleet of ships, ship management companies, and front companies that generate billions of dollars in profits from sales of Iranian and russian crude oil, petroleum products, and other cargoes to buyers around the world.
In July 2025, the tanker's manager changed again to the Indian company Fleet Tanqo Pvt Ltd (IMO 0261023). As of December 10, 2025, Fleet Tanqo Pvt Ltd operates a fleet of eight oil tankers from Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani's shipping network.
On July 14, 2026, the United States imposed sanctions on the tanker.
Since July 24, 2026, the EU has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
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DAPHNE V
Vessel name
DAPHNE V
IMO
9321677
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+ 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 in the Baltic and Black Seas, and in high-risk, deceptive practices, in particular, in the Kerch Strait area in the Black Sea (disabling AIS, making STS transmissions).
In December 2024 and January 2025, the tanker called at the port of Komysh-Burun in the TOT of Crimea.
In January 2025, STS transmissions were made in the Kerch Strait area in the Black Sea with the sanctioned tanker IMO 9252400 (on October 17, 2024, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel for illegal supplies of Iranian oil), with the tanker IMO 9224441 (affiliated through related companies 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, liquefied natural gas), which is involved in high-risk, deceptive practices in the Kerch Strait area and in December 2024 was supposed to receive fuel oil from the Volgoneft-212 tanker that sank in the Kerch Strait due to damage caused by a storm, which led to an environmental disaster, including in the temporarily occupied Crimea, due to a fuel oil spill. STS transmissions with the tanker IMO 9224441 in the Kerch Strait area also took place in December 2024.
The tanker is linked to sanctioned companies Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE), Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ (UAE), which managed the vessel in 2023-2024.
Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE) is considered one of the leading operators of the shadow fleet, which in early 2023 was among the three largest carriers of russian crude oil, together with Radiating World Shipping Services LLC (UAE) and Gatik Ship Management (India), and played a significant role in the export of the russian crude oil to countries around the world during the period of sanctions restrictions. Fractal Marine DMCC managed a fleet of 28 tankers as an intermediary between shipowners and charterers.
Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE), Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ (UAE) are part of a shipping empire controlled by the sanctioned Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, son of Ali Shamkhani, the chief political advisor to Iran's supreme leader. Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani uses his father's political influence to corrupt top-level officials in the Iranian regime in order to build and operate a huge fleet of tankers and container ships. This fleet transports crude oil and petroleum products from Iran and russia, as well as other cargoes, to buyers around the world, generating tens of billions of dollars in profits. Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani's shipping empire consists of a vast fleet of vessels, ship management companies, and front companies that launder billions of dollars in profits from the global sale of Iranian and russian crude oil and petroleum products, mostly to buyers in the PRC. The shipping empire takes significant measures to conceal its operations and obscure its ties to the Shamkhani family, Iran, and russia.
Fractal Marine DMCC has played an important role in the management and operation of the tanker and container ship fleet of Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani's shipping network. Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ (UAE) provides operational services for Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani's shipping network fleet.
Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ provided technical management of the vessel IMO 9308065, which was involved in an incident in the Baltic Sea due to technical malfunctions. On January 10, 2025, the vessel IMO 9308065, loaded with russian oil (99 thousand tons) in the port of Ust-Luga, lost control in the Baltic Sea. According to the German Havariekommando, the vessel's power supply system and engine failed, it lost its ability to maneuver and began to drift at low speed in the open sea near the island of Rügen. This incident once again demonstrates the growing threat of oil spills by outdated shadow fleet vessels.
The tanker is also linked to the management in 2025 by Tarabya Logistics Ltd (UAE), which in July and August 2025 was sanctioned by the EU and Switzerland, respectively, for managing vessels that engaged in illicit and high-risk shipping practices (sailing with gaps in automatic identification systems and high-risk ship-to-ship transshipments) while transporting oil of russian origin or exported from russia.
After sanctions were imposed on Tarabya Logistics Ltd, another change in the ship's management took place.
On April 15, 2026, the United States imposed sanctions on a tanker as part of restrictions targeting the fleet of Mohammed Hossein Shamkhani’s shipping empire, which is involved in the transport of russian crude oil and petroleum products.
Since July 24, 2026, the EU has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
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ALBEDO
Vessel name
ALBEDO
IMO
9213313
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
The vessel is involved in the transportation of Iranian crude oil/petroleum products. Many tankers involved in transporting Iranian oil to countries such as China are also involved in Venezuelan trade, including tanker IMO 9213313. 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 June 2023, the tanker has also been involved in the transportation of russian crude oil/petroleum products. Since the full-scale russian invasion into Ukraine in February 2022, more than 100 vessels that previously helped Iran export Iranian crude oil are now assisting russia in transporting russian oil/petroleum products.
From April 2023 to January 2024, the tanker was affiliated with the Chinese company Runfeng Shipmanagement Co Ltd, the fleet of which, as of April 23, 2025, includes one sanctioned vessel IMO 9174220, involved in the transportation of iranian oil to numerous refineries in China, STS transshipment with a vessel of the sanctioned National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) near Singapore to transport tens of thousands of metric tons of Iranian crude oil.
On February 12, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since July 24, 2026, the EU has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
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ADMIRAL
Vessel name
ADMIRAL
IMO
9274446
Flag (Current)
russian federation russian federation
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, the tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil from russian ports to third countries.
The vessel affiliated with the beneficiaries of the sanctioned shipping company Hennesea Holdings Limited (UAE), founded in late 2022, operating in the maritime sector of the russian economy. Shortly before the entry into force of the price-cap policy, Hennesea acquired old tankers transporting russian crude oil and oil products and entering russian ports.
In January 2024, USA imposed sanctions to vessels affiliated with the beneficiaries of Hennesea.
According to GISIS IMO, as of early July 2025, the vessel's flag is marked as "Guinea False".
As of July 12, 2025, the tanker is anchored near Sharjah (UAE).
Since September 12, 2025, the United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In November 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 12, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since February 2026, the vessel has been sailing under the flag of the russian federation.
In March 2026, the tanker exported almost 1 million barrels of Urals crude oil from the port of Ust-Luga; the cargo was sold by PJSC Oil Company "Rosneft."
Since July 24, 2026, the EU has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
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AKKORD
Vessel name
AKKORD
IMO
9259599
Flag (Current)
russian federation russian federation
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 vessel is affiliated with the shipping company Hennesea Holdings Limited (UAE). Hennesea Holdings Limited was founded in late 2022. Shortly before the price cap policy on russian crude oil came into force, Hennesea Holdings Limited acquired old tankers. These vessels transported russian crude oil/petroleum products under western sanctions.
In January 2024, the US imposed sanctions on Hennesea Holdings Limited and part of its fleet, including tanker IMO 9259599, for violating the price cap policy.
Since September 12, 2025, the United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on the tanker.
In November 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
The vessel is also involved in the transportation of Iranian 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 9259599. 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 December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since July 24, 2026, the EU has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
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