Marine vessels

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 through related companies is affiliated with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia for the maintenance and provision of marine hydrocarbon extraction, transportation of russian oil, petroleum products, and liquefied gas. 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. The tanker is managed by Invest Fleet LLC, a russian company established in December 2023. Invest Fleet LLC is managed by the russian LLC SCF Arctica, a subsidiary of the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot. In February 2024, USA imposed sanctions on 14 vessels (including ІМО 9341093) affiliated with the sanctioned company Sovcomflot as part of measures to reduce russia's oil revenues. On November 25, 2024, United Kingdom imposed sanctions on a tanker in connection with the transportation of russian oil/oil products from the russian federation to a third country. On February 21, 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel. 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.

The tanker, during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, has been involved since June 2024 in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports, as well as through STS transfers, in particular in April 2025 with the tanker IMO 9304825 (under UK sanctions since February 2025) near russian ports in the Baltic Sea. The vessel engages in dark activities near the Kerch Strait in the Sea of Azov in June and July 2024, and then near Romania in July 2024. The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of a shadow fleet of tankers that transport russian oil around the world and threaten the environment. 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.

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 oil/petroleum products using deceptive, high-risk practices (disabling AIS, conducting dark activities near russian ports in the Black Sea, in the area south of the Kerch Strait, including in the area near the ports of the TOT Crimea of Ukraine, conducting STS transmissions with russian affiliations near European countries). In particular, in June 2025, near Cyprus, the vessel made an STS transmission with the sanctioned tanker of the russian shadow fleet IMO 9258026, while the tanker IMO 9384095 arrived in the Cyprus area from the area near the russian port of Tuapse, where it had been conducting dark activities for a long time in May 2025. The tanker is affiliated with the Moldovan company MRC Shipmanagement SRL, which was the technical manager of the vessel from March 2023 to December 2024, while in May 2023 the owner of the vessel became New Star Marine Ltd (IMO 6392551), registered in the Seychelles at Suite 10, 3rd Floor, La Ciotat, Mont Fleuri, Mahe Island Seychelles, which is widely used for registration of shipping companies involved in the transportation of russian crude oil/petroleum products. Since December 2024, the ISM management of the vessel has been transferred to Tidal Tech Mariners LLC (Azerbaijan), while the owning company has not changed, which may indicate that the beneficiary of the vessel has not changed. As of June 09, 2025, Tidal Tech Mariners LLC provides ISM management of three more oil tankers of the russian shadow fleet - two sanctioned tankers IMO 9261657, IMO 9290921 and IMO 9265873. After the change of management, the tanker IMO 9384095 continues to export russian crude oil/petroleum products. 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.

The tanker, during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, has been involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products using deceptive, high-risk practices (disabling the Automatic Identification System (AIS), conducting dark activity near russian ports in the Black Sea, and carrying out ship-to-ship (STS) transfers with russian-affiliated vessels near European countries). In April 2025, near Romania, the tanker (IMO 8808525) conducted an STS transfer with the tanker (IMO 9236975), which had arrived from the russian port of Novorossiysk to perform the transfer. In March 2025, near Cyprus, the tanker (IMO 8808525) conducted an STS transfer with the tanker (IMO 9424651) – designated by the EU and Switzerland since May 2025 – which had arrived in the area near Cyprus from the russian port of Tuapse, where it had conducted a series of STS transfers. On May 20, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker as part of measures targeting the shadow fleet of the russian federation, including for engaging in activities aimed at destabilizing Ukraine, undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty, or independence of Ukraine, benefiting from or supporting the government of russia, and participating in the transportation of crude oil/petroleum products of russian origin, including from russia to third countries.

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 to third countries from russian ports in the Baltic Sea, and resorts to the practice of turning off the AIS signal and conducting so-called 'dark activities', in particular in the Baltic Sea near the coasts of russia, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. In September 2021, the United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) included the tanker in a public list of vessels suspected of involvement in the illegal transportation of Iranian oil. russia has created its own shadow fleet of tankers, mostly made up of old tankers, many of which have experience in operating under sanctions imposed on regimes such as Iran. Since the beginning of russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, more than 100 vessels that previously helped Tehran export Iranian oil are now helping russia transport russian oil/oil products. In May 2022, UANI predicted that russia would use a 'ghost armada' to ensure that excess profits from oil exports flow to its Chinese partner, in particular. The shadow tanker fleet continues to generate multibillion-dollar revenues for the kremlin by circumventing sanctions by disguising its activities under third-country flags, using complex schemes to conceal owners, and poses significant environmental safety hazards with significant economic costs to coastal countries and/or the international community due to the outdated and inadequately insured shadow fleet tankers. 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.

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 mainly to India and in dark activities at sea. The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of a shadowy fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment. The tanker is affiliated with the Turkish company Beks Tanker Isletmeciligi AS, which was the commercial and ISM manager of the vessel from October 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 oil and oil 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 oil/oil products in 2023. Since March 2024, the tanker has been managed by the Turkish company Tokyo Gemi Isletmeciligi AS. Tokyo Gemi Isletmeciligi AS has the same legal address as two other Turkish ship managers, Sand Gemi Isletmeciligi AS and Cape 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.

The vessel is involved in the transportation of russian crude oil during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo on russian oil and the price cap policy at $60 per barrel of russian oil. The tanker was transporting russian Urals crude oil at a price of more than $70 after the price-cap policy came into effect. In 2024-2025, the tanker transported russian oil from the port of Primorsk to China. The shipments were carried out under the command of captain Ivan Nikiforov. The tanker is affiliated through related companies with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia that services and supports offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian crude oil, oil products, and liquefied natural gas. The major charterers of PJSC Sovcomflot's vessels are russia's largest oil and gas companies and traders. PJSC Sovcomflot 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 sanctions were imposed, PJSC Sovcomflot transferred dozens of vessels to the ownership of companies it had set up, including in foreign jurisdictions, and began the practice of constantly 'juggling' (transferring) vessels to related companies. According to expert estimates, the tankers 're-registered' by PJSC Sovcomflot to related companies are part of the so-called 'shadow tanker fleet' of the russian federation to continue selling russian crude oil, oil products, and liquefied natural gas under Western sanctions. In December 2023, USA imposed sanctions on the tanker ІМО 9299719 for non-compliance with the price-cap policy for russian crude oil. On February 24, 2025, EU imposed sanctions on a tanker associated with a sanctioned person (the sanctions come into force on February 25, 2025). On March 04, 2025, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the tanker as a vessel associated with a sanctioned entity. On April 11, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of vessel IMO 9299719. 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.

The tanker is involved in the supply of Iranian oil to China. The Iranian Armed Forces General Staff (AFGS) and its main commercial subsidiary, Sepehr Energy Jahan Nama Pars Company (Sepehr Energy), continue to create front companies and rely on buyers and intermediaries to facilitate their authorized oil trade. AFGS and Sepehr Energy continue to rely on access to a fleet of aging shadow fleet oil tankers to supply oil to foreign buyers. As of early 2025, Sepehr Energy official Toomaj was using vessel IMO 9235244 to facilitate the supply of Iranian oil to China. According to GISIS IMO data, as of July 14, 2025, the vessel's flag is unknown.

The tanker is involved in the supply of Iranian oil to China. The Iranian Armed Forces General Staff (AFGS) and its main commercial subsidiary, Sepehr Energy Jahan Nama Pars Company (Sepehr Energy), continue to create front companies and rely on buyers and intermediaries to facilitate their authorized oil trade. AFGS and Sepehr Energy continue to rely on access to a fleet of aging shadow fleet oil tankers to supply oil to foreign buyers. As of early 2025, Sepehr Energy official Toomaj was using vessel IMO 9275660 to facilitate the supply of Iranian oil to China.

The tanker has been involved in the export of russian crude oil/oil products from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas since 2024, mainly to China and India, including with AIS 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. On February 24, March 04, 2025 EU and Switzerland respectively imposed sanctions on the tanker for transporting crude oil/oil products originating in or exported from russia using irregular and high-risk shipping practices as specified in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly resolution A.1192 (33); promoting or supporting actions/policies aimed at the exploitation, development or expansion of the energy sector in russia, including energy infrastructure (EU sanctions will enter into force on February 25, 2025). On May 09, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker as part of the restrictions on the russian shadow fleet.

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, and resorts to deceptive, high-risk practices (disabling AIS, conducting dark activities near Malaysia, making STS transmissions with russian affiliation). In early January 2023, the tanker IMO 9422988 made an STS transmission in international waters of the South Korean anchorage with the help of the russian tanker IMO 9301407 (under sanctions since January 2025, affiliated with the sanctioned russian company PJSC Sovcomflot), which had previously been loaded at the russian oil terminal De-Kastri. The tanker IMO 9422988 is involved in an established chain of supply of russian crude oil/petroleum products to third countries by making STS transfers in the area near European countries, in particular, with the sanctioned tanker IMO 9247443, which since July 2024 has been operating in the area near Greece, Cyprus as a transshipment STS hub for russian crude oil/petroleum products, which are transported by tankers mainly from the russian ports of Tuapse, Novorossiysk, Taman crude oil/petroleum products transshipment complex for transshipment near European countries. In January and March 2025, tanker IMO 9422988 conducted STS transmissions with tanker IMO 9247443 near Greece and Cyprus, respectively. There are other STS transfers near Cyprus and Greece in 2025 with other tankers of the russian shadow fleet (IMO 9352195, IMO 9314882, IMO 9263203, IMO 9299862, IMO 9198290, IMO 9424651), which were sanctioned by the EU, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom in May 2025. Transshipment of crude oil/petroleum products of russian origin by STS method at sea allows concealing the ownership and origin of the cargo, legalizing their supply to the EU, USA and other countries. In turn, the sale of crude oil/petroleum products on the world market allows the russian state budget to accumulate significant financial resources, 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 tanker is involved in the transportation of Iranian oil to Chinese refineries, for which it was sanctioned by USAA in March 2025. 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.

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 Sea, of the Pacific region mainly to China and India. The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as a shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment. 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 oil/oil products in 2022-2023. Fractal Marine DMCC was the commercial manager of the vessel from September 2022 to June 2024. 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. Fractal Marine DMCC operated a fleet of 28 tankers as an intermediary between ship owners and charterers. 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, 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. 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. On February 24, March 04, 2025 EU and Switzerland respectively imposed sanctions on the tanker for transporting crude oil/oil products originating in or exported from russia using irregular and high-risk shipping practices as specified in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly resolution A.1192 (33) (EU sanctions will enter into force on February 25, 2025). On April 11, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of vessel IMO 9282493. On May 09, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker as part of the restrictions on the russian shadow fleet. According to GISIS IMO data as of July 15, 2025, the vessel's registration name is ASTERI, and the flag is designated as "Sint Maarten False".