Marine vessels

The tanker was used by the oil broker Petroquimico FZE (UAE) to transport and further deliver to the UAE more than 200 thousand barrels of Iranian oil purchased from the sanctioned National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC). Iran relies on brokers outside of Iran to facilitate the sale and transportation of its crude oil to end users abroad, mainly in the UAE and China. The tanker is affiliated with Le Monde Marine Services Limited (Liberia), which was sanctioned by USA on February 24, 2025 for its activities in the petroleum sector of the Iranian economy. The tanker called at the russian port of Taman with oil terminals during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian oil. On February 24, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the tanker as a property in which the sanctioned company Le Monde Marine Services Limited has an interest.

The VLCC-class tanker is involved in the transportation of multiple shipments of Iranian oil to refineries in China. The tanker is affiliated with Green Garden Trading Ltd (Seychelles), which was sanctioned by USA on February 24, 2025 for its activities in petroleum sector of the Iranian economy On February 24, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the tanker as a property in which the sanctioned company Green Garden Trading Ltd has an interest.

The tanker is affiliated with the Seychelles-based company Oceanend Shipping Ltd, which was sanctioned by USA on February 24, 2025 for knowingly engaging in a significant transaction in the purchase, acquisition, sale, transportation or marketing of crude oil/petroleum products or petrochemicals from Iran. On February 24, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on a tanker as on the property in which the sanctioned company Oceanend Shipping Ltd has an interest.

The tanker is affiliated with the India-based Austinship Management Private Limited, which was sanctioned by USA on February 24, 2025 for knowingly engaging in a significant transaction in the purchase, acquisition, sale, transportation or marketing of crude oil/petroleum products or petrochemicals from Iran. On February 23, 2025, near Malaysia, the tanker made STS transfers with the sanctioned tanker IMO 9196644 involved in the transportation of sanctioned Iranian oil, and on February 24, 2025, with the sanctioned tanker IMO 9365764 VLCC-class involved in the transportation of numerous shipments of Iranian oil to Chinese refineries. On February 24, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on a tanker as on the property in which the sanctioned company Austinship Management Private Limited has an interest. According to the GISIS IMO data as of July 18, 2025, the vessel is registered under the flag of Gambia. At the same time, the vessel uses the flag of Eswatini.

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 to third countries. The international non-governmental organization Greenpeace refers to the tanker as a shadowy fleet of tankers that transport russian oil around the world and threaten the environment. Under the sanctions, russia has begun to build up its own shadow fleet of outdated tankers, which has no 'ties' with the G7 and the EU and can transport oil in violation of price caps. russia disguises its shadow activities at sea under the 'convenient' flags of third countries, operates at sea without proper insurance from the international club of insurers, uses complex schemes to conceal the owners of the shadow fleet, uses various deceptive tactics to conceal the origin of its cargo, creates threats to environmental safety with large-scale economic costs for coastal countries due to the growing threat of oil spills, does not use pilots to navigate difficult areas, etc. russia's 'shadow fleet' 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 environmental threats with significant economic costs to coastal countries and/or the international community due to the outdated and inadequate insurance of shadow fleet tankers. On November 25, 2024, the 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 as part of the restrictions on the russian shadow fleet. On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on a vessel considered to be part of the shadow fleet that called at a russian port where the oil price was constantly above the price cap. On February 21, 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

In 2024, the tanker is involved in the export of russian oil to China from the russian ports of the Pacific region Kozmino and Nakhodka. The international non-governmental organization Greenpeace refers to the tanker as a shadowy fleet of tankers that transport russian oil around the world and threaten the environment. According to Lloyd's List, the tanker is linked to anonymous Chinese buyers who spent about $376 million to purchase 13 tankers to carry out risky ship-to-ship transportation of russian oil in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Ship-to-shore logistics hubs are a common feature of the scheme, allowing for the concealment of ownership and origin of cargo. In addition to the mid-Atlantic STS hub, there are also areas near the ports of Kalamata (Greece), Malta, Ceuta, and the Caucasus where ship-to-ship operations have been established for russian oil. STS's operations in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean are outside the jurisdiction of port authorities, with limited technical and operational oversight, which increases safety and environmental concerns due to the unknown insurance and vessel ownership data. Lloyd's List has tracked five Aframax tankers, seven large oil carriers and one Suezmax vessel to an anonymous buyer through separate but related companies operating offshore Hong Kong and China that own similar vessels. The group of tankers was acquired between May and July 2022 for a total of $285 million, based on ship brokerage reports and market valuations. Since then, all but one of the tankers have been involved in the transshipment of russian oil cargoes at a high-risk transshipment hub located 860 nautical miles west of Portugal in international waters. The vessels purchased by the anonymous Chinese buyer are 15 years old or more, making it impossible for most major oil companies to charter them and impossible to obtain conventional financing. Under the sanctions, russia has begun to build up its own shadow fleet of outdated tankers, which has no 'ties' with the G7 and the EU and can transport oil in violation of price caps. russia disguises its shadow activities at sea under the 'convenient' flags of third countries, operates at sea without proper insurance from the international club of insurers, uses complex schemes to conceal the owners of the shadow fleet, uses various deceptive tactics to conceal the origin of its cargo, creates threats to environmental safety with large-scale economic costs for coastal countries due to the growing threat of oil spills, does not use pilots to navigate difficult areas, etc. russia's 'shadow fleet' 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 environmental threats with significant economic costs to coastal countries and/or the international community due to the outdated and inadequate insurance of shadow fleet tankers. 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 as part of the restrictions on the russian shadow fleet. On December 16, 2024, 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 a vessel considered to be part of the shadow fleet. On February 21, 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

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 to third countries, and resorts to the practice of turning off the AIS signal, conducting so-called 'dark activities' at sea. The international non-governmental organization Greenpeace refers to the tanker as a shadowy fleet of tankers that transport russian oil around the world and threaten the environment. The owner, manager and commercial manager of the tanker is an unknown company Tagabo Maritime Corp. (Seychelles), and the ISM manager is the Indian company Pinaka Ship Management. The fleet of the shipowner and the commercial manager of the vessel consists only of the tanker ІМО 9274434. The vessel is certified by the Indian regulator Indian Register of Shipping (IACS). The tanker ІМО 9274434 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 under Western sanctions, and the company Orion Ship Management LLP, which is related to Gatik, which in 2023, together with Caishan Ship Management, Plutos Ship Management, Gaurik Ship Management LLP, Geras Ship Management, Girik Ship Management, Galena Ship Management, Nautilus Shipping (India), Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment LLC, Zidan Ship Management, was involved in a scheme to 'juggle' vessels operated by Gatik Ship Management to avoid sanctions. Gatik Ship Management and Orion Ship Management were the previous managers of the tanker ІМО 9274434. 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. Almost all vessels that are involved in the transportation of russian oil by the shadow fleet since 2022 have been certified by the Indian regulator Indian Register of Shipping (IACS). The certification of shadow fleet vessels allows the shipowner/operator to insure the vessels, which, in turn, allows the vessels to enter ports and pass through various specific sea routes (straits, canals, etc.). The 'shadow' fleet, transporting huge volumes of crude oil through heavily trafficked routes through narrow straits close to the coastline, without proper P&I insurance, with automatic identification systems disabled, threatens an environmental disaster with significant economic costs to be borne by the affected coastal countries and/or the international community. The recent incidents off Malaysia only underscore the need for swift action to curb the potentially devastating impact of the growing 'shadow fleet'. 'Shadow' tankers have already been involved in 50 incidents from the Danish Straits all the way to Malaysia since russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. According to CREA, from January to August 2024, the number of shadow tankers crossing the Danish Straits in Europe increased by 277% compared to the same period in 2022, with 64% of the 46 million tons of russian marine oil transported through the Danish Straits being transported by shadow tankers. In the same period, the number of shadow tankers in the Straits of Dover and Gibraltar increased by 355% compared to 2022, transporting 67% of the 37 million tons of oil through the straits. The Suez Canal experienced a staggering 649% increase in shadow tanker traffic, with 69% of the 52 million tons of russian crude oil passing through it being transported by these vessels. Thus, 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 November 25, 2024, the 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 as part of the restrictions on the russian shadow fleet. On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel. On February 21, 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel. On April 11, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of vessel IMO 9274434.

During the period of the G7+ oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, the tanker was involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Black and Baltic seas to third countries. In particular, in January 2024, the vessel transported russian crude oil/petroleum products from the port of Taman (russia) to the Lakonikos Gulf (Greece). The tanker 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/oil products under Western sanctions, and the Gatik-related company Gaurik Ship Management, which in 2023, together with Caishan Ship Management, Galena Ship Management, Plutos Ship Management, Geras Ship Management, Girik Ship Management, Orion Ship Management, Nautilus Shipping, Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment, Zidan Ship Management, was involved in a scheme of "juggling" vessels managed by Gatik Ship Management to avoid sanctions. Gatik Ship Management and Gaurik Ship Management were the previous managers of the tanker. 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 as part of the restrictions on the russian shadow fleet. On December 16, 2024, 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. On February 21, 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel. As of the beginning of July 2025, the tanker is involved in commodities transportation near the ports of Venezuela. According to IMO GISIS data, the vessel's registration name as of July 12, 2025 is YI MENG SHAN, and there is no information on the vessel's call sign.

During the G7 and EU oil embargo and price-cap policy on russian oil, the tanker is involved in the export of russian oil to third countries from russian ports, including with the AIS system turned off. The international NGO Greenpeace refers the tanker to a shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the natural environment. The tanker 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 under Western sanctions, and the company Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment LLC, related to Gatik, which in 2023, together with Caishan Ship Management, Galena Ship Management, Gaurik Ship Management LLP, Geras Ship Management, Girik Ship Management, Orion Ship Management LLP, Nautilus Shipping (India), Plutos Ship Management, Zidan Ship Management, was involved in a scheme to 'juggle' vessels managed by Gatik Ship Management to avoid sanctions. Gatik Ship Management and Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment LLC were the previous managers of the tanker in 2022-2023. Tankers operated/managed by India's Gatik Ship Management continue to be used by related companies and call at russian ports. On November 25, 2024, the 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 as part of the restrictions on the russian shadow fleet. On February 21, 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian oil products to third countries from russian ports, in particular, in the Baltic Sea, including with AIS disabled. The vessel, through related companies, in particular Stream Ship Management FZCO, is affiliated with 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 amid sanctions restrictions on russia after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The services provided by Sovcomflot are a significant source of income for russia, as more than 70% of russia's revenues come from energy sales, 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 gas under western sanctions. On October 17, 2024, United Kingdom imposed sanctions on tankers of the russian so-called "shadow fleet", including the tanker ІМО 9522324. On December 16, 2024, EU imposed sanctions on the vessel (effective December 17, 2024). On December 23, 2024, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel. On February 21, 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel. According to GISIS IMO data as of July 14, 2025, the vessel's flag is marked as "Malawi False".

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price-cap policy on russian oil, the tanker was involved in the export of russian oil to third countries from russian ports, in particular in the Black Sea, including with the AIS turned off. The vessel, through related companies, in particular Stream Ship Management FZCO, 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. On October 17, 2024, United Kingdom imposed sanctions on tankers of the russian so-called "shadow fleet", including the tanker ІМО 9421972. On December 16, 2024, 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); in relation to contributing to, supporting actions or policies aimed at the exploitation, development or expansion of the energy sector in russia, including energy infrastructure. On December 23, 2024, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel 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); in relation to contributing to, supporting actions or policies aimed at the exploitation, development or expansion of the energy sector in russia, including energy infrastructure. On February 21, 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price-cap policy on russian oil, the tanker was involved in the export of russia's oil to third countries from russian ports in the Baltic and Black seas, including with the AIS turned off. The vessel, through related companies, in particular Stream Ship Management FZCO, 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. On October 17, 2024, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on tankers of the russian so-called "shadow fleet", including the tanker ІМО 9422457. On February 21, 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.