Marine vessels

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.

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, and uses deceptive practices (disabling AIS), including in the Kerch Strait area, calls at the port n the TOT of Crimea (the port on the shores of the Kerch Strait, located near the village of Zhukivka, is part of the Kerch ferry service (the line from the port of Crimea to the port of Caucasus), in 2014-2015 the port was dredged, which increased the capacity of the line). The vessel is owned by the russian company Middle-Volga Shipping Company LLC (under Ukrainian sanctions), which is a supplier to the sanctioned Rosnefteflot JSC (under at least two contracts worth 94.4 million rubles) within the russian state procurement system. 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.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian oil/oil products from russian ports in the Azov and Black Seas, mainly to Turkey and Egypt, uses deceptive practices (AIS shutdown, spoofing), including in the Kerch Strait area, calls at the port of Crimea (a port on the shore of the Kerch Strait, located near the village of Zhukovka, is part of the Kerch ferry service (the line from the port of Crimea to the port of Kavkaz), in 2014-2015 the port was dredged, which increased the capacity of the line), the port of Kerch in the TOT of Crimea. The vessel is affiliated with the russian company Middle-Volga Shipping Company LLC (under Ukrainian sanctions), which is a supplier to the sanctioned Rosnefteflot JSC (at least under two contracts worth 94.4 million rubles) within the russian state procurement system. 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, the 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. The owner and manager of the vessel is the Maltese company Hai Ocean Shipping Co Ltd, which is associated, in particular, with russian citizen Mikhail Slobodov as one of the two owners of the company.

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap on russian oil, the tanker is involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports, in particular in the Baltic and Black Seas, mainly to India. On September 30, 2024, the Houthis, mistaking the ship for a British vessel, attacked a tanker in the Red Sea with a UAV, which led to a fire on the ship. The outdated tanker, which was sailing from the Turkish port of Yalova to the russian port of Novorossiysk in the Black Sea, was involved in the blocking of the Bosphorus Strait due to engine failure near Cape Yenikey in late December 2024. 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 tanker is affiliated with the Indian company Margao Marine Solutions OPC, with which the sanctioned shadow tanker Apar (IMO 9402471, formerly Feng Shou, Andromeda Star) is affiliated.

The tanker is involved in the transportation of russian oil/oil products from russian ports in the Baltic Sea to third countries, deceptive shipping practices, including conducting dark activities in the Baltic Sea near the russian port of Ust-Luga, is used by russia as a spy platform aimed at monitoring NATO naval and air activities, and is involved in sabotage activities in the Baltic Sea. On December 26, 2024, the tanker was detained by an authorized Finnish authority. The vessel is suspected of anchoring the Estlink 2 submarine cable on December 25, 2024. The National Bureau of Investigation of Finland is conducting criminal proceedings on suspicion of committing an aggravated crime. According to the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation, the Eagle S was dragging its anchor along the seabed in the area where the Estlink 2 submarine cable was damaged. After the vessel was detained, it was discovered that the tanker had no anchor. On January 07, 2025, the anchor was raised by the Swedish ship HMS Belos. According to the Finnish transport and communications agency Traficom, the tanker Eagle S is unseaworthy - after state port control, 32 faults were found on the vessel, three of which were critical: fire safety violations, malfunctioning navigation equipment and ventilation problems in the pump room. According to the British publication Lloyd's List, in a series of confidential documents about the Eagle S obtained in June 2024, the Eagle S and the related sanctioned tanker Swiftsea Rider (IMO 9318539) 'were equipped with listening and receiving devices to monitor NATO naval vessels and aircraft'. The spy equipment was installed on board the Eagle S in large portable suitcases (including laptops with keyboards in russian and Turkish to make calls to Turkey and russia) and was used to monitor radio frequencies, record NATO messages and transmit the collected data to the russian authorities. Similar systems were present on the Swiftsea Rider tanker. According to the Lloyd's List source, the equipment was stored on the bridge or on the 'monkey island' (the highest place on the ship), operated by russian, Turkish, and Indian officers, and the devices were unloaded for analysis upon arrival in russia. Also, according to a Lloyd's List source, an unauthorized person was identified on board the Eagle S who was not a member of the ship's crew. The Eagle S and Swiftsea Rider tankers are linked to the same shadowy network created in the interests of the sanctioned russian Lukoil, when, in the face of sanctions on russian oil, more than 20 tankers were purchased in 2022-2023 and transferred under bareboat charter to Eiger Shipping by the shipping division of the russian oil trader Litasco, affiliated with Lukoil. According to the Financial Times investigation, the purchased tankers were transferred under the Cook Islands flag and under the management of sanctioned Dubai companies - Radiating World Shipping (16 vessels) and Star Voyages Shipping Services (6 vessels). According to the British publication Lloyd's List, the tanker Eagle S is one of dozens of shadow tankers involved in the russian oil/oil products trade, and is affiliated with the Indian company Peninsular Maritime India PVT, which is affiliated with two sanctioned companies Radiating World Shipping Services (UAE) and Star Voyages Shipping Services (UAE). Radiating World Shipping Services (UAE) and Star Voyages Shipping Services (UAE) are considered to be the leading shadow fleet operators that played a key role in the export of russian oil/oil products under sanctions in 2022-2023. After the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on Radiating World Shipping Services (UAE) and Star Voyages Shipping Services (UAE) in December 2023, the companies ceased operations and transferred their fleets to related companies, including Peninsular Maritime India. Despite the fact that the shipowner and commercial manager of the tanker Eagle S is Caravella LLC-FZ, based in the UAE, the ISM manager of the vessel is the Indian company Peninsular Maritime India PVT, according to the website of the Indian company Uniocean Marine Services, the Eagle S belonged to its fleet, but after Finland arrested the tanker for damaging the Estlink 2 submarine cable, information about the Eagle S in the Uniocean Marine Services fleet was removed from the company's website. At the same time, the website states that the company's fleet includes a number of sanctioned tankers affiliated with the sanctioned shadow fleet operators Radiating World Shipping Services (UAE) and Star Voyages Shipping Services (UAE).

The tanker is involved in the transportation of Iranian oil, export of russian oil from russian ports in the Baltic Sea, the Pacific Ocean region to third countries, and deceptive practices, including AIS manipulation/spoofing. The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of a shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian crude oil around the world through the Baltic Sea, the Kadetsky Canal area in the Mecklenburg Bay, and threatening the environment. According to the American human rights group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), which monitors Iran-related tanker traffic using satellite data, the vessel was involved in the transportation of Iranian oil. According to UANI, the tanker was engaged in AIS signal spoofing while loading crude oil from Sirri Island (Iran) in August 2021, as well as MMSI spoofing by posing as another vessel while unloading Iranian oil in Banias (Syria) in September 2021. In particular, during the offloading of Iranian oil in Banias (Syria) in September 2021, according to AIS data, the vessel was anchored west of the Cyprus STS transmission zone, while sending AIS messages from Spain at 36.179, 5.926. 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 crude oil/oil products. In May 2022, UANI first predicted that russia would turn to the 'ghost armada' to ensure oil flows to its Chinese partner. UANI also included the tanker in the list of tankers of the Maduro-Khamenei Oil Alliance involved in the transportation of Iranian and Venezuelan oil. On June 11, 2022, Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi signed a 20-year cooperation agreement to expand ties in the oil and petrochemical industries, military and economic spheres. Since then, bilateral ties have been developing: in 2023, Iran supplied more than 12 million barrels of crude oil and gas condensate, and Venezuela supplied about the same amount of fuel oil to Iran in return. Most of the cargo is transported by vessels of the sanctioned National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) in both directions: Iranian oil and gas are unloaded in Venezuelan ports, and the same NITC tankers load Venezuelan fuel oil on the way back to China. A significant number of non-NITC vessels flying foreign (not Iranian) flags are also involved in the trade.

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, conducting deceptive, high-risk practices, including conducting dark activities with AIS disabled near the russian port of Ust-Luga. The tanker is affiliated with Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE, under UK sanctions for its involvement in servicing the energy sector of the russian economy). Fractal Marine DMCC is considered to be one of the leading operators of the so-called shadow fleet involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products under Western sanctions in 2022-2023. The shipping company Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE) was established shortly before the G7 countries introduced a price-cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products and played a significant role in the transportation of russian crude oil/petroleum products under sanctions restrictions. The tanker is also affiliated with the sanctioned company Oceanlink Maritime DMCC (UAE), which was the commercial manager of the tanker from December 2023 to June 2024. Oceanlink Maritime DMCC is affiliated with the sanctioned fleet of 10 vessels (LNG tankers, crude oil tankers, oil product tankers) and was involved in the transportation of Iranian commodities on behalf of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces (AFGS) and the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL). The tanker is also affiliated with Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ (UAE), which was the ISM manager of the tanker in 2024. Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ managed 20 vessels affiliated with Fractal Marine DMCC. A vessel from the Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ fleet loaded with russian oil was involved in an incident in the Baltic Sea that threatened environmental safety. In particular, on January 10, 2025, the 19-year-old tanker IMO 9308065, the safety management of which was provided by Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ, 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, the ship 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. Since 2023, the vessel's management has changed 4 times. As of April 2025, the owner of the tanker is Lasiglia Investment Inc (Marshall Islands), and the ship's safety is managed by Tarabya Logistics LTD (UAE), which also manages nine tankers (one of which is under sanctions) affiliated with Fractal Marine DMCC (IMO 9252955, IMO 9282481, IMO 9282493 (under EU sanctions), IMO 9282508, IMO 9332171, IMO 9379301, IMO 9387279, IMO 9390587, IMO 9413004), as well as the tanker IMO 9299707, affiliated with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia that provides services and support for offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian crude oil, petroleum products, liquefied natural gas, and 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 change of management, the tanker continues to make calls to the russian port of Ust-Luga in the Baltic Sea, participating in servicing the energy sector of the russian economy, which is a significant source of funding for the military budget of the aggressor country.

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.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil to third countries from russian ports in the Black and Baltic Seas, including with AIS disabled, was involved in the transportation of Venezuelan oil and switched to the transportation of sanctioned russian oil. The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of 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. The tanker is flagged by Cameroon, which is included in the Paris MOU on the blacklist of flags, which is formed based on the results of inspections of the technical condition of ships. According to the Lloyds List analytical center, the tanker is an example of high-risk, dark and fraudulent activities related to fraudulent actions of technical management companies that led to the assignment of unique numbers by the International Maritime Organization. In this regard, an intersessional working group was established by the IMO Legal Committee to determine the levels of due diligence required for the use of the unique company owner identification number scheme and IMO registered owners.

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, Black Seas, and the Pacific region, and in deceptive, high-risk practices (disabling AIS, in particular, in the area of the port of Tuapse in the Black Sea, and russian ports in the Baltic Sea). 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.

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 and Black Seas, and resorts to conducting dark activities with the AIS disabled. The tanker is affiliated with Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE, under UK sanctions), one of the leading operators of the so-called shadow fleet involved in the export of russian crude oil/oil products in 2022-2023. The shipping company Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE) was established shortly before the G7 countries introduced a price-cap policy on russian oil after russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and played a significant role in the transportation of russian crude oil. On February 22, 2024, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on Fractal Marine DMCC in connection with its involvement in servicing the russian energy sector. Fractal Marine DMCC operated a fleet of 28 tankers as an intermediary between ship owners and charterers. Fractal Marine DMCC, together with Gatik Ship Management (India) and Radiating World Shipping Services LLC (UAE, under UK sanctions), are considered the leading operators of the russian shadow fleet, which in early 2023 assembled a fleet of about 90 tankers, 90% of which transported russian crude oil/oil products from the Baltic and Black Seas ports of russia to India, China, Turkey, the Middle East, Africa and South America. In less than a year, the $2 billion fleet of oil tankers assembled by Fractal and Gatik could transport more than 40 million barrels of crude oil/oil products. Fractal Marine DMCC, Gatik Ship Management and Radiating World Shipping Services LLC in the tanker market helped russian oil continue to circulate around the world and the russian government to generate multibillion-dollar revenues bypassing the sanctions. After Fractal Marine was sanctioned, DMCC tried to challenge the sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom but lost in court. After that, the company “re-signed” its fleet to other companies. The commercial management of the vessel is carried out by the Turkish company Westanker Ltd, which is included in the list of 11 “players” in the Turkish segment of the russian shadow fleet management, which together have been managing 47 tankers since the beginning of 2024 and helping russia to circumvent the price ceiling regime for russian oil. The safety management of the tanker in 2023-2024 was carried out by Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ (UAE), which also managed 19 other vessels affiliated with Fractal Marine DMCC. In particular, on January 10, 2025, the 19-year-old tanker EVENTIN, the safety management of which was provided by Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ, 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.

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 the russian ports of Primorsk and Ust-Luga in the Baltic Sea to third countries, and resorts to the practice of conducting 'dark' activities in the Baltic Sea with the AIS signal turned off. The vessel is affiliated with Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE, under UK sanctions), one of the leading operators of the so-called shadow fleet involved in the export of russian oil/oil products in 2022-2023. The shipping company Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE) was established by former Socar CEO Mathieu Philippe as a subsidiary of the Swiss Fractal Shipping SA shortly before the G7 countries introduced a price-cap policy on russian oil after russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and played a significant role in the transportation of russian oil. On February 22, 2024, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on Fractal Marine DMCC in connection with its involvement in servicing the russian energy sector. Fractal Marine DMCC operated a fleet of 28 tankers as an intermediary between ship owners and charterers. Fractal Marine DMCC, together with Gatik Ship Management (India) and Radiating World Shipping Services LLC (UAE, under UK sanctions), are considered the leading operators of the russian shadow fleet, which in early 2023 assembled a fleet of about 90 tankers, 90% of which transported russian oil/oil products from the Baltic and black sea ports of russia to India, China, Turkey, the Middle East, Africa and South America. In less than a year, the $2 billion fleet of oil tankers assembled by Fractal and Gatik could transport more than 40 million barrels of oil/oil products. India, UAE - the jurisdictions of the leading shadow fleet operators Fractal Marine DMCC, Gatik Ship Management and Radiating World Shipping Services LLC, have not joined the price-cap policy and do not apply restrictions to russian oil. Fractal Marine DMCC, Gatik Ship Management and Radiating World Shipping Services LLC in the tanker market helped russian oil to continue circulating around the world and the russian government to provide multibillion-dollar revenues bypassing the sanctions. After Fractal Marine was sanctioned, DMCC tried to challenge the sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom but failed in court. After that, the company 're-signed' its fleet to other companies established, in particular, in the UAE. The tanker is managed by Zulu Ships Management, which also operates other tankers affiliated with Fractal Marine DMCC. The vessels managed by Zulu Ships Management continue to export russian crude oil/oil products from russian ports. On April 11, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of vessel IMO 9282481.