Shadow Fleet

The tanker, during the period of the oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil / petroleum products, is involved in the export of russian petroleum products to third countries.
Specifically, in January, February, and March 2025, the vessel exported russian petroleum products from the port of Ust-Luga to Egypt in the interests of PJSC Novatek.
On December 13, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the tanker.
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 and petroleum products, is involved in the export of russian crude from russian ports in the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea, and the Pacific region, in particular to the PRC and India, in the interests of PJSC "Surgutneftegaz" and PJSC Oil Company "Rosneft".
The vessel is involved in the oil sector of the russian federation’s economy, the revenues from which are one of the most important sources of income for the aggressor state’s budget.
On December 13, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 21, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of the vessel.

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil and petroleum products, the tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil from the port of Primorsk to Turkey, and russian petroleum products from the ports of Vysotsk, Ust-Luga to Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and China, specifically in the interests of PJSC Lukoil.
Until May 2022, the tanker in particular through the sanctioned company Sun Ship Management (UAE), affiliated with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia providing services and support for offshore hydrocarbon production and the transportation of russian crude oil, petroleum products, and liquefied gas. The main charterers of Sovcomflot PJSC vessels are russia's largest oil and gas companies and traders. Sovcomflot PJSC is involved in servicing major oil and gas projects in russia: Sakhalin-1, Sakhalin-2, Varandey, Prirazlomnoye, Novy Port, Yamal LNG, and others.
The vessel is involved in the oil sector of the russian federation's economy, the income from which is one of the most important sources of revenue for the aggressor state's budget.
On December 13, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 21, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of the vessel.

The tanker is involved in the transport of Iranian petroleum products, including fuel oil worth millions of dollars, to the UAE.
The tanker was also involved in the export of russian crude oil / petroleum products from russian ports in the Pacific region to China during the period when the oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil and petroleum products were in effect.
On August 15, 2024, the United States imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On December 13, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the tanker as part of restrictions on the russian shadow fleet.

During the G7 and EU oil embargo and 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 on the Baltic and Black Seas to third countries.
Specifically, in April 2026, the tanker exported more than 988,000 barrels of Urals crude from the Sheshkharis terminal at the Port of Novorossiysk to India; among the sellers of the cargo was PJSC Lukoil.
On December 13, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the tanker.

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian oil/petroleum products, the tanker was involved in the export of russian oil/oil products from russian Black Sea ports.
In August 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the tanker's captain.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian oil/petroleum products during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and price cap policy on russian oil/petroleum products, including in the interests of PJSC Lukoil
The vessel sails under the flag of Panama, which is on the gray list of the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on State Port Control.
In August 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the tanker's captain.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian oil/petroleum products during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and price cap policy on russian oil/petroleum products.
The vessel makes calls at the Sheskharis oil 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 US sanctions), a subsidiary of the sanctioned russian Transneft PJSC (TIN 7706061801).
In August 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the ship's captain.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker makes port calls at the ports of the temporarily occupied territory (TOT) of Ukraine, in particular at the port of Komysh-Burun between June and August 2025.
The vessel is likely involved in the transshipment and transportation of russian crude oil and petroleum products.
In August 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the tanker’s captain.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

During the enforcement of the G7 and EU embargo and price cap on russian crude oil / petroleum products, tanker IMO 9397456 has been actively engaged in the export of russian crude oil / petroleum products since November 2024.
It has operated from russian ports in the Black Sea and Baltic Sea, including port calls at russian ports of Novorossiysk and Vysotsk, while employing deceptive shipping practices – specifically, disabling Automatic Identification System (AIS) and maintaining prolonged dark activity off the coast of Novorossiysk.
The vessel has called at the Sheskharis terminal at Novorossiysk, with documented activity in December 2024. The Sheskharis terminal is a transshipment hub and the terminus of trunk pipelines operated by JSC "Chernomortransneft" (АО "Черномортранснефть", TIN 2315072242), which is sanctioned by the United States.
The company is a subsidiary of the sanctioned russian PJSC "Transneft" (ПАО "Транснефть", TIN 7706061801).
In October 2025, the tanker transported nearly 33,000 tons of russian-origin petroleum products from the Sheskharis terminal in the port of Novorossiysk (russian federation) for export to Tunisia. The shipper was the sanctioned company PJSC Lukoil, and the charterer was Litasco.
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 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.