Marine vessels

The tanker during the period of the G7+ oil embargo, the price cap policy on russian crude oil/oil products involved in the export of russian crude oil/oil products from russian ports in the Baltic, Black Seas, and Pacific region, resorts to conducting dark activities with the disabling of AIS near the russian port of Ust-Luga. The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of a shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian crude around the world and threatening the environment. The tanker 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 under Western sanctions, and the company Caishan Ship Management, which is affiliated with Gatik, which in 2023, along with Gaurik Ship Management LLP, Galena Ship Management, Plutos Ship Management, Geras Ship Management, Girik Ship Management, Orion Ship Management LLP, Nautilus Shipping, Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment LLC, Zidan Ship Management, was involved in a scheme to “juggle” vessels operated by Gatik Ship Management to avoid sanctions. Gatik Ship Management and Caishan Ship Management were the previous managers of the tanker. Tankers operated/managed by the Indian Gatik Ship Management continue to be used by related companies and call at russian ports.

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price-cap policy on russian oil, the tanker has been involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports in the Black Sea and the Pacific region, mainly to China and third countries since February 2023, as well as in violation of the G7 and EU oil embargo on russian oil. In particular, in February 2024, the vessel transported russian oil from a russian port in the Black Sea to the Laconikos Gulf (Greece). 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. In October 2024, the ship's management was transferred from the Moldova-based KSN Shipmanagement SRL to the Azerbaijan-based Dream Island Shipping LLC. According to investigative journalists from RISE Moldova, KSN Shipmanagement SRL is one of ten Moldova-based companies that play a significant role in the maritime transportation of russian oil. The tanker's name Torex appeared in early 2023 after it was sold by a Pakistani corporation for more than five billion Pakistani rupees (equivalent to about $21 million in early 2023). In early April, and then in July 2023, a Norwegian maritime trade news portal reported that the actual new beneficiary of the tanker was KSN Shipmanagement SRL from Moldova. Oil exports from russia are the most important source of income for the regime of the aggressor country to finance the war against Ukraine. From February 2022 to November 22, 2024, russia earned almost 546 billion euros in oil export revenues (69% of all fossil fuel export revenues). In 2023, about a third of all tax revenues in russia came from the sale of oil and gas. The tax on oil production collected by the russian federation in 2023 amounted to 8.9 trillion rubles, or 31% of total federal revenues. According to the CREA data for October 2024, russia's revenues from crude oil exported by sea amounted to 210 million euros per day, 83% of the total volume of russian marine crude oil was transported by shadow tankers, while tankers owned or insured in countries that impose price restrictions accounted for 17% of the total value of russian oil exported in October. Shadow fleet of russia continues to generate multibillion-dollar revenues for the kremlin bypassing sanctions, disguising its activities under the flags of third countries, using complex schemes to conceal owners, and poses significant environmental threats with significant economic costs to coastal countries and/or the international community due to the outdated and inadequate insurance of shadow fleet tankers.

The tanker, during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price-cap policy on russian oil, is involved in the export of oil to third countries from russian ports, in particular in the Baltic Sea, and resorts to the practice of turning off the AIS signal, conducting so-called “dark activities” at sea. The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of the shadow fleet of tankers that transports Russian oil around the world through the Baltic Sea, the Kadetsky Canal area in the Gulf of Mecklenburg and threatens the environment. Until February 2025, the ISM-management of the vessel was carried out by Akara Navigation LLC (Azerbaijan), which managed the safety of two other shadow fleet vessels involved in the transportation of sanctioned russian oil, IMO 9233741, IMO 9262924, while the IMO 9262924 tanker was identified by the international NGO Greenpeace as part of the shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment. The tanker is affiliated with Sao Viet Petrol Transportation Co Ltd (Vietnam), which was the previous owner and manager of the vessel. According to the American human rights group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), which monitors tanker traffic related to Iran using satellite data, the Sao Viet Petrol Transportation Co Ltd tanker fleet is involved in the transportation of sanctioned Iranian oil, in particular, tankers IMO 9284582, IMO 9284594, IMO 9337133. The tanker is certified by the Vietnam Register of Shipping.

The tanker has been involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports in the Baltic Sea to third countries since July 2023, in violation of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price-cap policy on russian oil. In particular, the vessel is involved in STS transfers of russian oil to the vessel LIGERA in the Laconikos Gulf (Greece). According to Kpler, on January 09, 2024, the LIGERA was recorded by the MarineTraffic ship spotter off the coast of Crete in ballast with a draft of 11.3 m. On January 10, 2024, the tanker sailed to the Laconian Gulf, where it made an STS transfer on the same day, receiving URALS oil from the NAUTILUS (IMO 9434890). According to Kpler, NAUTILUS was loaded with 729 thousand barrels of Urals oil from the port of Ust-Luga. The LIGERA, loaded with russian oil, concealed information about the change in the ship's draft and headed to Venezuela, where an STS transfer of oil to the MORNING SUN (IMO 9110183) was detected between February 28 and March 1, 2024, which delivered 600 thousand barrels of russian oil to the Cardon refinery in Venezuela on March 02, 2024. The tanker is affiliated with Adel Ship Management SRL (Moldova), which manages tankers that help russia transport crude oil under western sanctions. Adel Ship Management SRL is considered one of the largest carriers of russian crude oil, in particular, in the first half of 2024, the Moldovan company shipped 2.6 million barrels of oil, which is approximately 2% of total russian exports. RLRISE Moldova, a community of investigative journalists, programmers, and activists from the Republic of Moldova and Romania, attributes the tanker to the shadow fleet involved in russian oil exports.

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 export of russian crude oil/oil products from russian ports in the Baltic Sea, and is engaged in dark activities, in particular, in the area of the russian port of Ust-Luga. The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of a shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian crude around the world and threatening the environment. The tanker is affiliated with Orion Ship Management LLP, an Indian company, affiliated with Gatik Ship Management, one of the leading operators of the so-called “shadow” fleet involved in the transportation of russian crude oil/oil products in 2022-2023 under Western sanctions. In 2023, Orion Ship Management LLP, together with Gaurik Ship Management LLP, Caishan Ship Management, Plutos Ship Management, Geras Ship Management, Girik Ship Management, Galena Ship Management, Nautilus Shipping, Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagement 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+ oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/oil products, is involved in the transportation of russian crude oil/oil products from russian ports in the Baltic Sea using deceptive, high-risk practices (disabling AIS, in particular, in the area of the port of Ust-Luga). The tanker is affiliated with the Indian company Maritas Fleet Private Ltd, which was the ISM manager of the vessel from December 2022 to February 2024. The dominance of India as the technical and ISM manager of shadow fleet tankers may indicate the creation of a control center for shadow fleet vessels, masking the beneficial owners. Established in 2022, Maritas Fleet Private Ltd has managed 29 tankers, including those under sanctions, affiliated with the sanctioned company Hennesea Holdings Limited. Hennesea Holdings Limited was founded in late 2022 in the UAE and owned 18 vessels that transported crude oil of russian origin at a price above $60 per barrel. Shortly before the introduction of the price-cap policy, the company acquired old tankers involved in the transportation of russian crude oil and petroleum products with calls to russian ports.

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price-cap policy on russian oil, the tanker is involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports in the Baltic, Black Seas and the Pacific region, mainly to China and India. The vessel is certified by the Korean Register (IACS). 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's ISM-management was carried out by Light Navigation LLC (Azerbaijan) from July to December 2024. The said company was the ISM manager of another tanker, IMO 9250892, which was classified by the International NGO Greenpeace as part of the shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment.

Since the entry into force of restrictions on russian oil in February 2023, the tanker has been involved in the export of russian oil to third countries. In February 2023, the vessel was sold by Frontline (New York, USA, majority owned by shipping billionaire John Fredriksen) to an unknown company, Bay Global Maritime Inc (registered in Liberia), which was registered as the owner and commercial manager of the vessel. In June 2023, the Turkish company PIER DENIZCILIK VE TICARET LTD, incorporated on May 26, 2023, became the ship's safety manager. As of December 11, 2024, Turkey's PIER DENIZCILIK VE TICARET LTD manages the safety of two oil tankers affiliated with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia, a key company for servicing and supporting offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian oil, oil products, and liquefied gas amid sanctions restrictions on russia after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The services provided by Sovcomflot are a significant source of income for russia, as more than 70% of russia's revenues come from energy sales, which allows it to finance its war against Ukraine. The main charterers of Sovcomflot vessels are the largest oil and gas companies and traders in russia. Sovcomflot is involved in servicing major oil and gas projects in russia: 'Sakhalin-1', 'Sakhalin-2', 'Varandey', 'Prirazlomnoye', 'Novy Port', 'Yamal LNG' and others. Prior to russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the company's fleet consisted of about 145 vessels. After sanctions were imposed, in order to circumvent them, Sovcomflot transferred dozens of vessels to the ownership of companies it created, including in foreign jurisdictions, and started the practice of constantly 'juggling' (transferring) vessels to related companies. According to expert estimates, the tankers 'transferred' by Sovcomflot to related companies are part of the so-called 'shadow tanker fleet' of the russian federation to continue selling russian oil, oil products, and liquefied gas under Western sanctions.

After restrictions were imposed on russian oil in December 2022, the tanker has been involved in exporting russian oil to third countries since November 2023, and is also involved in violating the G7 and EU oil embargo on the export of crude oil to the EU. Thus, in August 2024, in violation of the oil embargo, the vessel exported russian crude oil from the russian port of Taman in the Black Sea and delivered it to a transshipment point south of the Laconian Gulf, west of the island of Kithira. The international public organization Greenpeace classified the tanker as a shadow fleet. Oil exports from russia are the most important source of income for the kremlin regime to finance its war against Ukraine. The tax on oil production collected by the russian federation in 2023 amounted to 8.9 trillion rubles, or 31% of total federal revenues. According to CREA data for September 2024, russia's revenues from crude oil exported by sea amounted to 192 million euros per day, 86% of the total volume of russian marine crude oil was transported by shadow tankers, while tankers owned or insured in countries that impose price restrictions accounted for 14% of the total value of russian oil exported in September. The shadow tanker fleet continues to provide multibillion-dollar revenues for the kremlin bypassing sanctions, disguising its activities under the flags of third countries, using complex schemes to conceal owners, and poses significant environmental threats with significant economic costs to coastal countries and/or the international community due to the outdated and inadequate insurance of shadow fleet tankers.

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price-cap policy on russian oil, the tanker is involved in the export of russian oil, in particular, from russian ports in the Black and Baltic Seas to China, India, etc. 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.

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price-cap policy on russian crude oil, the tanker is involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports in the Pacific region, in the Black Sea, mainly to China and Turkey. According to the USA-based human rights group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), which monitors Iranian-related tanker traffic using satellite data, the vessel was involved in the transportation of Iranian oil and switched to transporting russian oil. Since the beginning of russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, more than 90 vessels that previously helped Tehran export Iranian export oil are now helping russia transport russian oil/oil products. In May 2022, UANI first predicted that russia would turn to a 'ghost armada' to ensure oil flows to its Chinese partner. The international public organization Greenpeace refers to the tanker as a shadowy fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment. Oil exports from russia are the most important source of income for the regime of the aggressor country to finance the war against Ukraine. From February 2022 to November 22, 2024, russia earned almost 546 billion euros in oil export revenues (69% of all fossil fuel export revenues). In 2023, about a third of all tax revenues in russia came from the sale of oil and gas. The tax on oil production collected by the russian federation in 2023 amounted to 8.9 trillion rubles, or 31% of total federal revenues. According to the CREA data for October 2024, russia's revenues from crude oil exported by sea amounted to 210 million euros per day, 83% of the total volume of russian marine crude oil was transported by shadow tankers, while tankers owned or insured in countries that impose price restrictions accounted for 17% of the total value of russian oil exported in October. Shadow fleet of russia continues to generate multibillion-dollar revenues for the kremlin bypassing sanctions, disguising its activities under the flags of third countries, using complex schemes to conceal owners, and poses significant environmental threats with significant economic costs to coastal countries and/or the international community due to the outdated and inadequate insurance of shadow fleet tankers.

During the period of the G7, EU oil embargo and the price-cap policy on russian crude oil, the tanker is involved in the export of russian oil, conducting dark activities at sea, and using deceptive practices related to the identification/location of the vessel. The international public organization Greenpeace refers to the tanker as a shadowy fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment. The vessel's ISM-management in the period from August 2024 to February 2025 was carried out by Night Moon Navigation LLC, incorporated in June 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The said company was the ISM manager of two more oil tankers IMO 918722 and IMO 9326718, which are classified by the International NGO Greenpeace as part of the shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment, According to the USA-based human rights group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), which monitors Iran-related tanker traffic using satellite data, the tanker IMO 918722 was involved in the transportation of Iranian oil and switched to transporting russian oil in July 2023. In May 2022, UANI first predicted that russia would turn to a 'ghost armada' to ensure oil flows to its Chinese partner. Shadow fleet of russia continues to generate multibillion-dollar revenues for the kremlin bypassing sanctions, disguising its activities under the flags of third countries, using complex schemes to conceal owners, and poses significant environmental threats with significant economic costs to coastal countries and/or the international community due to the outdated and inadequate insurance of shadow fleet tankers.