Shadow Fleet

The tanker has been involved in the transport of Iranian-origin crude oil to the People’s Republic of China (PRC), including deliveries to the Shandong Shengxing Chemical Co. Ltd. refinery. Its operations include ship-to-ship (STS) transfers with designated vessels engaged in Iranian oil shipments.
In early 2025, the vessel received several hundred thousand barrels of Iranian crude via STS transfer from the sanctioned tanker IMO 9569700, which was designated by the United States on 11 October 2024.
Many tankers involved in transporting Iranian oil to countries such as China are also involved in Venezuelan trade, including tanker IMO 9242120. 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 16 April 2025, the United States designated the tanker IMO 9242120 for its role in sanctions evasion involving Iranian oil.
The tanker belongs to the Panamanian company Civic Capital Shipping Inc (Panama Folio Number - (MERCANTIL) Folio Nº 155754670). This company is affiliated with Hector Varela De Leon. Hector Varela De Leon is the founder of the Panamanian company Civic Capital Shipping Inc. Hector Varela De Leon is associated with the incorporation and management of a number of shell companies, including those that are part of the vast 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. Hector Varela de Leon is the founder and director of a number of companies that own, among other things, tankers belonging to the shadow fleet of the russian federation and Iran. On July 30, 2025, the United States imposed sanctions on Hector Varela de Leon for his activities in the oil sector of the Iranian economy.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker RANI has been involved in the transport of Iranian-origin crude oil to the People’s Republic of China (PRC), including through ship-to-ship (STS) transfers with the designated vessel IMO 9569700. In addition, in 2024, the vessel was engaged in the export of russian-origin oil and petroleum products from the russian port of Kozmino. On 16 April 2025, the United States designated the tanker IMO 9250907 for its role in sanctions evasion.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products.
The tanker is involved in dark activities in the area of the Kerch Strait, the port of Kerch (TOT Crimea of Ukraine), near russian ports in the Sea of Azov.
The vessel is affiliated with the russian company Volgotrans LLC, which is under Ukrainian sanctions.
From July 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions on a tanker for transporting crude oil/petroleum products that originate in russia or are exported from russia using irregular and high-risk shipping practices as set out in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly resolution A.1192 (33).
On August 12, 2025, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

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, including through STS transfers in September 2024 near Greece with tankers of the russian shadow fleet (IMO 9251456, IMO 9299123, which have been under sanctions since May 2025).
The tanker makes calls at the Sheskharis terminal (Novorossiysk), in particular in December 2024. The Sheskharis terminal is a transshipment complex, the end point of the main pipelines of Chernomortransneft JSC (TIN 2315072242, under USA sanctions), a subsidiary of the sanctioned russian Transneft PJSC (TIN 7706061801).
The tanker is linked to illegal shipments of Iranian oil.
The tanker is affiliated with the sanctioned company Eco Max FZE (UAE), which manages tankers associated with the illegal supply of Iranian oil through its fleet (in particular, the sanctioned tanker IMO 9220938), as well as sanctioned tankers of the russian shadow fleet (IMO 9236755, IMO 9236755).
In October 2024, the United States imposed sanctions on the tanker as property in which the sanctioned company Eco Max FZE has an interest.
From July 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions on a tanker for transporting crude oil/petroleum products that originate in russia or are exported from russia using irregular and high-risk shipping practices as set out in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly resolution A.1192 (33).
On August 12, 2025, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 21, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of the vessel.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Pacific region during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products.
On May 09, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker as part of the restrictions on the shadow fleet of the russian federation, including for engaging in activities aimed at destabilizing Ukraine, undermining/threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine or benefiting from or supporting the government of russia, and participating in the transportation of crude oil/petroleum products of russian origin, in particular, from russia to a third country.
In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since September 18, 2025, Australia has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since October 24, 2025, the EU has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Switzerland has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

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 using deceptive, high-risk practices (disabling AIS, conducting dark activities near russian ports in the Baltic Sea, making STS transmissions with a russian affiliation near Malaysia). In particular, in April 2025, tanker IMO 9277759, having left the area near the russian port of Ust-Luga, where it was conducting dark activities, made an STS transmission with tanker IMO 9198666 near Malaysia.
On May 09, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker as part of the restrictions on the shadow fleet of the russian federation, including for engaging in activities aimed at destabilizing Ukraine, undermining/threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine or benefiting from or supporting the government of russia, and participating in the transportation of crude oil/petroleum products of russian origin, in particular, from russia to a third country.
In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
From July 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions on a tanker for transporting crude oil/petroleum products that originate in russia or are exported from russia using irregular and high-risk shipping practices as set out in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly resolution A.1192 (33).
On August 12, 2025, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since September 18, 2025, Australia has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

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.
The tanker is affiliated with the sanctioned Cypriot company Lagosmarine Limited, which was the tanker's manager. In January 2025, USA imposed sanctions on Lagosmarine Limited for its activities in the energy sector of the russian federation and as the technical manager of a crude oil tanker that made several calls to a russian port where the price of oil was constantly exceeding the price cap.
After sanctions were imposed on the Cypriot company Lagosmarine Limited, the management of the vessel was changed to Seaking Management Ltd (China).
On May 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions, which enter into force on May 21, 2025, on the tanker for the transportation of crude oil/petroleum products originating in or exported from russia, using irregular high-risk shipping practices as specified in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly Resolution A.1192(33).
On June 03, 2025, the sanctions imposed by Switzerland on the vessel came into force.
On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
After the sanctions were imposed, the vessel continues to call at russian ports, in particular, the port of Ust-Luga.
In November 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 21, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of the vessel.

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.
The tanker is affiliated with the Turkish company Beks Tanker Isletmeciligi AS, which was the vessel's manager from December 2023 to March 2024. Beks Tanker Isletmeciligi AS is one of the top three ranking Turkish operators, which in 2023 provided transportation of hundreds of millions of barrels of russian crude oil and petroleum products. The fleet of the Turkish top three - Beks Tanker Isletmeciligi AS and the sanctioned Beks Gemi Isletmeciligi ve Tic and Active Denizcilik ve Gemi - transported a total of 49 million barrels of russian crude oil/petroleum products in 2023. Since March 2024, the tanker has been managed by the Turkish company Cape Gemi Isletmeciligi AS. Cape Gemi Isletmeciligi AS has the same legal address as two other Turkish ship managers, Sand Gemi Isletmeciligi AS and Tokyo Gemi Isletmeciligi AS. Eight tankers of these companies were operated by Beks Tanker Isletmeciligi AS in 2023 and early 2024, and one tanker was operated by the sanctioned Beks Gemi Isletmeciligi ve Tic.
On May 09, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker as part of the restrictions on the shadow fleet of the russian federation, including for engaging in activities aimed at destabilizing Ukraine, undermining/threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine or benefiting from or supporting the government of russia, and participating in the transportation of crude oil/petroleum products of russian origin, in particular, from russia to a third country.
On May 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions, which enter into force on May 21, 2025, on the tanker for the transportation of crude oil/petroleum products originating in or exported from russia, using irregular high-risk shipping practices as specified in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly Resolution A.1192(33).
On June 03, 2025, the sanctions imposed by Switzerland on the vessel came into force.
In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since September 18, 2025, Australia has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since October 30, 2025, New Zealand has imposed sanctions on the tanker.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 21, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of the vessel.

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.
According to the United Against Nuclear Iran, the tanker is involved in the transportation of Iranian oil, and after the start of russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, it has been helping russia to transport russian crude oil/petroleum products.
The tanker is managed by a little-known Indian company Oceanpack Ship Management Private Limited, incorporated in June 2024.
On May 09, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker as part of the restrictions on the shadow fleet of the russian federation, including for engaging in activities aimed at destabilizing Ukraine, undermining/threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine or benefiting from or supporting the government of russia, and participating in the transportation of crude oil/petroleum products of russian origin, in particular, from russia to a third country.
On May 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions, which enter into force on May 21, 2025, on the tanker for the transportation of crude oil/petroleum products originating in or exported from russia, using irregular high-risk shipping practices as specified in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly Resolution A.1192(33).
On June 03, 2025, the sanctions imposed by Switzerland on the vessel came into force.
In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since September 18, 2025, Australia has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since October 30, 2025, New Zealand has imposed sanctions on the tanker.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 21, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of the vessel.

The tanker during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products since July 2024 has been involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Gulf of Finland using deceptive practices (disabling AIS, conducting dark activities near russian ports in the Baltic Sea). Since July 2024, Acceronix Ltd, a company registered in the Seychelles, has been the owner and commercial manager of the tanker.
On May 09, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker as part of the restrictions on the shadow fleet of the russian federation, including for engaging in activities aimed at destabilizing Ukraine, undermining/threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine or benefiting from or supporting the government of russia, and participating in the transportation of crude oil/petroleum products of russian origin, in particular, from russia to a third country.
On May 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions, which enter into force on May 21, 2025, on the tanker for the transportation of crude oil/petroleum products originating in or exported from russia, using irregular high-risk shipping practices as specified in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly Resolution A.1192(33).
On June 03, 2025, the sanctions imposed by Switzerland on the vessel came into force.
In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since September 18, 2025, Australia has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 21, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of the vessel.

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. Thus, in August 2025, the tanker transported nearly 100,000 tons of russian crude oil from the Sheskharis terminal in the port of Novorossiysk to the port of Dakar (Senegal). The shipper of the cargo was the sanctioned company PJSC " Oil Company Rosneft".
On May 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions, which enter into force on May 21, 2025, on the tanker for the transportation of crude oil/petroleum products originating in or exported from russia, using irregular high-risk shipping practices as specified in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly Resolution A.1192(33).
On June 03, 2025, the sanctions imposed by Switzerland on the vessel came into force.
On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In November 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 21, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of the vessel.

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.
The vessel is owned and operated by the russian company Volgotrans LLC (TIN: 6317079434, under Ukrainian sanctions).
On May 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions, which enter into force on May 21, 2025, on the tanker for the transportation of crude oil/petroleum products originating in or exported from russia, using irregular high-risk shipping practices as specified in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly Resolution A.1192(33).
On June 03, 2025, the sanctions imposed by Switzerland on the vessel came into force.
On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In November 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.