Marine vessels

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 crude oil to third countries from russian ports, including with the AIS system disabled. 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 tanker is affiliated with the Indian company Galena Ship Management, which is one of a number of other companies involved in the practice of 'juggling' vessels associated with the Indian Gatik Ship Management, one of the leading operators of the so-called 'shadow fleet', which has become the largest carrier of russian oil under sanctions since the beginning of russia's full-scale war against Ukraine. Tankers operated/managed by India's Gatik Ship Management continue to be used by related companies and call at russian ports. As sanctions are being imposed, russia uses a scheme of "juggling" ships between related companies to conceal oil exports outside the price cap and other restrictions, as well as to hide the real owners of ships, and to ensure unimpeded transportation of fossil fuels by a 'shadow' fleet of obsolete oil tankers, creates new companies for these purposes (in the UAE, Hong Kong, India, Turkey, Mauritius, Seychelles, and other jurisdictions) with non-transparent organizational and ownership structures. In order to implement this scheme, technical/commercial management and ship owners are constantly changing, and vessels are renamed with a change of flag, MMSI, call-sign, including for sanctioned vessels. Shadow fleet vessels operate under "convenient flags", which allows them to conceal their true origin and avoid control by international organizations and insurance companies. The shadow fleet of the russian federation 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 threats to environmental safety with significant economic costs for coastal countries and/or the international community due to the outdated and inadequate insurance of shadow fleet tankers. 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.

It is involved in the transportation of russian crude oil during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo on russian oil. The vessel transported russian oil from russian ports to third countries. The vessel is linked to Stream Ship Management FZCO, Sun Ship Management, Oil Tankers Scf Mgmt FZCO, affiliated with the sanctioned 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, liquefied natural gas amid sanctions restrictions on russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The services provided by PJSC "Sovcomflot" are a significant source of income for the russian federation, since more than 70% of russia's income is from the sale of energy, which allows it to finance the war against Ukraine. The main charterers of "Sovcomflot" vessels are the largest oil and gas companies and traders of russia. "Sovcomflot" participates in the maintenance of large oil and gas projects in russia: "Sakhalin-1", "Sakhalin-2", "Varandey", "Pryrazlomnoye", "Novyy Port", "Yamal LNG", others. Before the full-scale russian invasion of Ukraine, the company's fleet consisted of about 145 vessels. After the application of sanctions, PJSC "Sovcomflot" transferred dozens of vessels to the ownership of companies it created, including those in foreign jurisdictions, in order to circumvent them, starting the practice of constant "juggling" (transferring) vessels to related companies. The tankers "transferred" by PJSC "Sovcomflot" to related companies are, according to experts, part of the so-called "shadow tanker fleet" of the russian federation to continue sales of russian oil, petroleum products, and liquefied gas under Western sanctions. In 2023, the vessel delivered russian oil to China via the Northern Sea Route. In July 2024, UK imposed sanctions on a vessel in connection with its involvement in the transportation of russian oil and/or petroleum products from the russian federation to third countries. On December 16, 2024, the EU imposed sanctions on the tanker (effective from December 17, 2024) due to the transportation of crude oil or petroleum products originating in or exported from russia, using irregular high-risk shipping practices as set out in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly Resolution A.1192(33). On December 23, 2024, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel in connection with the transportation of crude oil or petroleum products originating in or exported from russia, using irregular and risky shipping practices, as set out in the resolution of the General Assembly of the International Maritime Organization A.1192(33). On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel. In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The vessel is engaged in transportation of russian crude oil during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo on russian oil. The tanker is owned by the russian company South Fleet LLC, which is managed by the russian company SCF Arctica LLC, a subsidiary of 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 natural gas amidst the application of sanctions restrictions to russia after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The services provided by Sovcomflot are a significant source of income for the russian federation, as more than 70% of russia's revenues come from the sale of energy, 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 the sanctions were imposed, Sovcomflot transferred dozens of vessels to the ownership of companies it had set up, including in foreign jurisdictions, in order to circumvent them, and began 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 natural gas under Western sanctions. In February 2024, USA imposed sanctions on 14 vessels (including the "Sakhalin") affiliated with the sanctioned company Sovcomflot as part of measures to reduce russia's oil revenues. In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo, the tanker is involved in the export of russian oil 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. In June 2025, Canada 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 from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas using deceptive, high-risk practices (turning off AIS, keeping dark in the Kerch Strait area, conducting STS transmissions with russian affiliates, ships of the russian shadow fleet in the Kerch Strait area). In particular, in December 2024, the vessel carried out STS transmissions in the Kerch Strait area with the tanker IMO 9224441, affiliated with the sanctioned russian PJSC Sovcomflot. In November 2024, in the Kerch Strait area, the tanker IMO 9332028 made an STS transmission with the russian tanker IMO 9687992, affiliated with the russian company Traveler Shipping LLC (TIN 6162052074), which owns and operates ships (in particular, IMO 8883252, IMO 9874789), involved in the theft of Ukrainian grain from the TOT of Ukraine, supply of jet fuel and other important cargo to the Middle East (to the group of russian troops in Syria in the interests of the Ministry of Defense of the russian federation), and the vessels of which call at the ports of the TOT of Crimea of Ukraine. In November 2024, in the Kerch Strait area, the tanker IMO 9332028 carried out an STS transfer with the sanctioned tanker of the russian shadow fleet IMO 9248801 (under sanctions since December 2024). 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.

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 Gulf of Finland and the Black Sea using deceptive practices (disabling AIS, conducting active dark activities in the Gulf of Finland, near russian ports in the Baltic Sea (Gulf of Finland)). The tanker is calling 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 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 tanker is affiliated with the Turkish company Beks Tanker Isletmeciligi AS, which managed the vessel from October 2022 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. In March 2024, the management of the tanker was transferred to 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 20, 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.

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 November 2021 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 20, 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.

The oil tanker is not currently in operation but has been designated by the European Union and Switzerland. On 20 May 2025, the European Union imposed sanctions on the tanker, which entered into force on 21 May 2025, for transporting crude oil or petroleum products originating in or exported from russia using irregular and high-risk shipping practices, as defined in IMO General Assembly Resolution A.1192(33). On 3 June 2025, the sanctions imposed by Switzerland on the vessel entered into force. During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil and petroleum products, another tanker named Ocean Jupiter (IMO 9308170) was involved in the export of russian-origin crude oil and petroleum products.

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 managed the vessel from January 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. In March 2024, the management of the tanker was transferred to 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 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions, which will 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.

Since July 2024, the tanker, which does not have proper insurance from the International P&I Club, has been focused on transshipment in the area of Greece and Cyprus by making STS transfers of russian wet cargo mainly from the russian ports of Tuapse and Novorossiysk, as well as from the Taman crude oil/petroleum products transshipment complex, Primorsk and Ust-Luga. Such deliveries from russian ports for further transshipment in European waters are carried out by a number of tankers, in particular, affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management, one of the largest operators of the russian shadow fleet, which in 2022-2023 played a key role in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products under Western sanctions. Transshipment of crude oil/petroleum products of russian origin at sea using the STS method allows to conceal ownership and origin of the cargo, and legalize their supply to the EU, USA and other countries. In turn, the sale of crude oil/petroleum products on the world market allows accumulating significant financial resources in the state budget of the russian federation, which are used, among other things, to build up the military potential of the aggressor state and to provide material support for russia's military operations on the territory of Ukraine. The first STS transmission since July 2024 in the Gulf of Laconikos took place on July 23, 2024 with the tanker IMO 9412177, which arrived in the area near Greece from the russian port of Primorsk. Subsequent STS transmissions with russian affiliation took place in the area near Greece: July 31, 2024 with tanker IMO 9340116, which arrived from the russian port of Tuapse; August 02, 2024 with tanker IMO 9374416, which arrived from the russian port of Tuapse; onAugust 09, 2024 with the tanker IMO 9315757, which arrived from the Taman crude oil/petroleum products transshipment complex; on August 12, 2024 with the tanker IMO 9263203, which arrived from the port of Tuapse; on August 14, 2024 with the tanker IMO 9228784, which arrived from the port of Tuapse; On August 17, 2024, with the tanker IMO 9260067 (under USA sanctions since October 17, 2024), which arrived from the ports of Gelendzhik and Tuapse; on August 19, 2024, with the tanker IMO 9278698, which arrived from the port of Tuapse; OnAugust 28, 2024, with the tanker IMO 9263186, which arrived from the ports of Gelendzhik and Novorossiysk; on August 29, 2024, with the tanker IMO 9318034 (affiliated with the shadow operator Gatik Ship Management), which arrived from the port of Tuapse; on September 15, 2024, with the tanker IMO 9251456, which arrived from the port of Tuapse; on October 17, November 15, December 08, 2024, January 06, 2025 with the tanker IMO 9234501, which arrived from the Taman crude oil/petroleum products transshipment complex and the port of Novorossiysk; On November 03 and 29, 2024, with tanker IMO 9327372 (under sanctions of the EU, Switzerland, the United Kingdom), which is affiliated with the shadow operator Gatik Ship Management and arrived from the ports of Tuapse and Gelendzhik; on November 13 and 26, 2024, with the tanker IMO 9353096 (under sanctions of the United Kingdom, Canada, the EU, Switzerland), which arrived from the port of Tuapse; on December 05, 2024 with the tanker IMO 9266475 (under sanctions of the United Kingdom, EU, Switzerland), which arrived from the Taman crude oil/petroleum products transshipment complex; on December 17, 2024 with the tanker IMO 9299862 (affiliated with the shadow operator Gatik Ship Management), which arrived from the port of Tuapse; in December 2024, January 2025 with the tanker IMO 9272931 (affiliated with the Indian company Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment, which was one of the ten companies that participated in the juggling of vessels from the Gatik Ship Management fleet). At the same time, there were STS transfers in the area of Greece with other tankers affiliated with Gatik Ship Management, namely IMO 9299123 (in September, October, November 2024); IMO 9352195 (in September and December 2024); repeated transfers with IMO 9253234. After STS transfers with IMO tanker 9247443, which acts as an STS hub for transshipment of russian crude oil/petroleum products, some of these tankers head to Libyan ports, in particular, Benghazi, which has no refineries and no direct connection to Libyan oil wells. According to the international NGO Greenpeace, some of the fuel imported by Libya, which is subject to the subsidy program, is loaded into large tanker trucks that transport it to small old tankers waiting in the old port. The vessels then leave the port with fake certificates and disabled AIS transmitters to smuggle the fuel at market price. This is the way to illegally trade in russian crude oil/oil 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. On May 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions, which will 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 August-September 2024, the tanker carried out STS transfers of russian crude oil/petroleum products from tanker IMO 9337901, which departed from the russian port of Tuapse. The tanker IMO 9337901 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/petroleum products in 2022-2023 under Western sanctions. In November 2024, an STS transfer was carried out from the sanctioned tanker IMO 9281891, involved in the transportation of sanctioned Iranian and russian oil, which departed from the port of Taman. STS transfers of russian oil were also carried out from sanctioned tankers IMO 9315446 and IMO 9271951. At the same time, there are frequent STS transfers of russian oil from tanker IMO 9294123. In particular, such transfers in the Laconikos Gulf area took place on January 10, 2025, and in early February 2025. The tanker IMO 9294123 sailed to the Laconikos Gulf from the russian port of Novorossiysk. The tanker IMO 9294123 is affiliated with Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagement, which, together with other companies (Galena Ship Management, Gaurik Ship Management, Caishan Ship Management, Plutos Ship Management, Geras Ship Management, Girik Ship Management, Orion Ship Management, Nautilus Shipping, Zidan Ship Management), was involved in a scheme to "juggle" scheme involving vessels from the Indian company Gatik. In December 2024, the tanker IMO 9402732 also carried out bunkering with the oil tanker IMO 9248801, affiliated with Gatik, in the Laconikos Gulf area. The tanker IMO 9402732 is also affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management and Gaurik Ship Management, which is associated with Gatik. Gatik Ship Management and Galena Ship Management were the previous managers of the tanker. Tankers operated/managed by India's Gatik Ship Management continue to be used by affiliated companies and call at russian ports. 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.

The tanker during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo, the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products, and resorts to deceptive practices (disabling AIS, conducting dark activities near the russian port of Ust-Luga). On May 20, 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.