Shadow Fleet

In 2024, the tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil to third countries from russian ports in the Baltic Sea and the Pacific region.
The tanker is also involved in the transportation of Iranian oil.
Tanker IMO 9257137 is linked to anonymous Chinese buyers who spent approximately $376 million on the purchase of a group of 13 tankers for high-risk transportation of crude oil of russian origin. Among these 13 tankers are seven VLCCs, five Aframaxes, and one Suezmax. The vessels were purchased through 20 separate but interconnected single-vessel shell companies from Hong Kong and the PRC.
Subsequently, all but one of the tankers were engaged in transshipment of wet cargo in international waters, in areas 860 nautical miles west of Portugal.
On December 03, 2024, USA imposed sanctions on the tanker.
Since May 21 and June 3, 2025, the EU and Switzerland, respectively, have imposed sanctions on the vessel for transporting crude oil/petroleum products originating in or exported from rRussia, using irregular shipping practices with a high degree of risk, as specified in Resolution A.1192(33) of the General Assembly of the International Maritime Organization.
On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In November 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In early January 2026, the tanker MIN HANG (IMO 9257137), as part of a group of tankers, attempted to leave Venezuelan waters in dark mode (with AIS transponders turned off) to bypass the US blockade as part of Operation Southern Spear. After the US detained another vessel from this group (OLINA (IMO 9282479)) on January 9, 2026, the tanker MIN HANG (IMO 9257137) and two other vessels (THALIA III (IMO 9259197) and MEROPE (IMO 9281891)) returned to Venezuelan waters. All of these tankers were loaded with oil belonging to the sanctioned Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA.
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 Iranian and russian oil, including in violation of the G7 and EU oil embargo in September 2023. In particular, in violation of the embargo, the vessel transported russian oil products from the port of Taman in the Black Sea to the EU (Malta) via a transshipment run.
The vessel is affiliated with Eco Max FZE (UAE) and Indo Gulf Ship Management LLC (UAE), which were sanctioned by USA on October 17, 2024 in connection with their involvement in illegal supplies of Iranian oil, transportation of cargo (Iranian fuel oil) for several million dollars in the interests of the Al-Jamal network.
On October 17, 2024, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel IMO 9220938 vessel for supplying Iranian oil.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has 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 in the Pacific region mainly to China, conducting dark activities at sea near Oman and Malaysia, and conducting deceptive practices related to the identification/location of the vessel.
The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of the shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment.
The tanker is involved in the transportation of oil products on behalf of Sepehr Energy Jahan Nama Pars Company (Sepehr Energy, under USA sanctions), controlled by the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, for the network of sanctioned financial official Houthi Saeed al-Jamal, which has provided tens of millions of dollars in illicit oil revenues to support the financing of Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. At the same time, the tanker is affiliated with Gemini Marine Limited (under USA sanctions).
On October 02, 2024, USA sanctions were imposed on the vessel as a property in which Gemini Marine Limited has an interest.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In order to circumvent sanctions, the tanker manipulates its identifying information, including its name, IMO number, and flag state. Since February 2025, the tanker has been using the name "Glistar" and transmitting an MMSI associated with Guyana; IMO number 1107697, which belongs to a tugboat, while in the AIS system the IMO number was linked to a tanker named Tiko; later, it used the name Homya with IMO number 1107697, but this time flying the Tanzanian flag.

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 to third countries, including the use of deceptive practices (disabling AIS, conducting dark activities in the Gulf of Finland, the russian ports of Novorossiysk and Baltiysk).
According to the United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), the vessel was involved in the transportation of Iranian oil and since May 2022 has switched to the transportation of russian oil. Since the beginning of russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, more than 100 vessels that previously helped Tehran export Iranian export oil are now helping russia transport russian crude oil/petroleum products.
On May 09, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker as part of the introduction of restrictions on the shadow fleet of the russian federation, including for engaging in activities whose purpose or effect is to destabilize Ukraine, undermine/threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine or to benefit from or support the russian government, or to participate 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.
In August 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the tanker's master.
Since September 18, 2025, Australia has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

During the G7 oil embargo, the EU, and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, the tanker has been involved in the export of russian crude oil from russian ports on the Baltic Sea and in the Pacific region to India and China, as well as in conducting illicit activities at sea and engaging in deceptive practices related to the vessel’s identification and location.
The vessel is connected with the facts of supplying crude oil (a refined product) to China in October 2023 (for the needs of a large Shengxing Chemical refinery) under the guise of 'other fuel oil' (a combustion product), which may indicate concealment of the nature/origin of the cargo, avoidance of price caps in certain geographical locations, disguising the real cargo under a different product classification code to conceal its potential use, etc.
Since early 2023, Borey G's voyage history has identified a number of sailing routes between Southeast Asia and mainland China's coastal ports, with several STS activities near Malaysia using crude oil tankers MS Enola and FSO SA Europe.
The vessel is also involved in the transportation of Iranian crude oil and petroleum products.
Many tankers involved in transporting Iranian oil to countries such as China are also involved in Venezuelan trade, including tanker IMO 9199127. 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 January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since May 21 and June 3, 2025, the EU and Switzerland, respectively, have imposed sanctions on the vessel for transporting crude oil/petroleum products originating in or exported from rRussia, using irregular shipping practices with a high degree of risk, as specified in Resolution A.1192(33) of the General Assembly of the International Maritime Organization.
In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom 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 oil, violating the G7 and EU oil embargo on russian oil in January 2024. In violation of the oil embargo, the vessel transported russian crude oil from the port of Novorossiysk in the Black Sea to the Laconikos Gulf, Greece in January 2024. According to Kpler, on January 28, 2024, the tanker ІМО 9236353 in the Laconikos Gulf of Greece carried out an STS transfer of Urals crude oil exported from the port of Novorossiysk, handing it over to the vessel IMO 9237072. On January 09, 2024, the vessel ІМО 9237072 was recorded by the MarineTraffic ship spotter off the coast of Crete in ballast with a draft of 11.3 m. On January 10, 2024, the tanker sailed to the Laconikos Gulf, where it made an STS transfer on the same day, receiving Urals oil from the vessel IMO 9434890 in the Laconikos Gulf in Greece. According to Kpler, IMO 9434890 was loaded with 729 thousand barrels of Urals oil from the port of Ust-Luga. The second STS transfer to the vessel ІМО 9237072 took place on January 28, 2024 in the Laconikos Gulf from the vessel IMO 9236353 loaded with oil in the port of Novorossiysk. According to Kpler, the vessel IMO 9237072, loaded with russian oil, concealed information about the change in the ship's draft and headed to Venezuela, where it was detected an STS transfer of oil to the vessel IMO 9110183 between February 28 and March 1, 2014, which delivered 600 thousand barrels of russian oil to the Cardon refinery in Venezuela on March 2, 2014.
The international public organization Greenpeace refers to the tanker as a shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment.
Shadow fleet of russia continues to generate 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 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 June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In August 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the tanker's master.
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.

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and price-cap policy on russian oil, the tanker is involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports in the Baltic Sea and the Pacific region, mainly to China and India.
The international public organization Greenpeace refers to the tanker as a shadow fleet of tankers that transport russian oil around the world and threaten the environment.
The vessel is involved in the transportation of Iranian crude oil/petroleum products.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On April 11, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of vessel IMO 9247780.
Since May 21 and June 3, 2025, the EU and Switzerland, respectively, have imposed sanctions on the vessel for transporting crude oil/petroleum products originating in or exported from rRussia, using irregular shipping practices with a high degree of risk, as specified in Resolution A.1192(33) of the General Assembly of the International Maritime Organization.
On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since October 30, 2025, New Zealand has imposed sanctions on the tanker.
In November 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

During the period of the G7+ 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 and petroleum products, specifically from the russian ports of Primorsk, Novorossiysk, Ust-Luga, Kavkaz, and Saint Petersburg, primarily to India.
On December 13, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 21, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the vessel’s master.
According to available information, in July and September 2026, the vessel exported 200,000 metric tons of russian crude oil from the ports of Novorossiysk and Primorsk to India.
From March 2023 to May 2026, the vessel was managed by Sea Trade Marine SA (Malta), headquartered in Greece.
Starting in May 2026, there were changes in the vessel’s management. Since August 2026, the tanker has been owned and managed by companies incorporated in countries outside the G7+ coalition. Specifically, technical management of the tanker was transferred to Zeythra Group LLC-FZ (UAE). As of September 2026, Zeythra Group LLC-FZ manages a fleet of oil tankers involved in the export of russian crude/petroleum products that are subject to Ukrainian sanctions.

The tanker during the period of the G7+ oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/oil products is involved in the export of russian crude oil/oil products from russian facilities in the Baltic and Black Seas.
The tanker is also involved in the transportation of sanctioned Iranian oil.
Many tankers involved in transporting Iranian oil to countries such as China are also involved in Venezuelan trade, including tanker IMO 9247431. 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 February 24, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker as part of restrictions on russia's shadow fleet.
Since February 25 and March 4, 2025, respectively, the EU and Switzerland have imposed sanctions on tankers transporting crude oil/petroleum products originating in or exported from russia, using irregular shipping practices with a high degree of risk, as specified in Resolution A.1192 (33) of the General Assembly of the International Maritime Organization.
In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In June 2025, Australia imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since September 12, 2025, New Zealand has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On September 25, 2025, a tanker transported 140,000 tons of russian crude oil for export from the Sheskharis terminal in the port of Novorossiysk (russia) to India. The shipper of the cargo was the sanctioned russian company PJSC "Oil Company "Rosneft".
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 21, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of the vessel.

During the G7 and EU oil embargo on russian crude oil, the tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil from russian ports on the Baltic and Black Seas and the Pacific region to third countries, conducting illicit activities at sea near Indonesia, China, russia, and South Korea with a disabled AIS signal.
The tanker was also used to transport sanctions-banned Iranian oil. The tanker is affiliated with Gemini Marine Limited (under US sanctions), the fleet of which transports petroleum products on behalf of Sepehr Energy Jahan Nama Pars Company (Sepehr Energy), controlled by the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces. The Gemini Marine Limited fleet also transported petroleum products for the network of sanctioned financial official Houthi Saeed al-Jamal, whose network generated tens of millions of dollars in revenue from the illicit sale of oil to support the financing of Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
Since russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, more than 100 vessels that previously helped Iran export oil now help russia transport russian crude oil/petroleum products.
Many tankers involved in transporting Iranian oil to countries such as China are also involved in Venezuelan trade, including tanker IMO 9263643. 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 of the 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 (not Iranian) flags are also involved in this trade.
The international non-governmental organization Greenpeace classifies the tanker as part of a shadow fleet of tankers that transport russian oil around the world and threaten the environment.
The russian shadow fleet continues to generate billions in revenue for the kremlin in violation of sanctions, masking its activities under the flags of third countries, using complex schemes to conceal the owners, and poses significant threats to environmental safety with considerable economic costs for coastal countries and/or the international community due to the obsolescence and inadequate insurance of shadow fleet tankers.
On October 2, 2024, the US imposed sanctions on the tanker as property in which Gemini Marine Limited has an interest.
Since May 21 and June 3, 2025, the EU and Switzerland, respectively, have imposed sanctions on the vessel for transporting crude oil/petroleum products originating in or exported from rRussia, using irregular shipping practices with a high degree of risk, as specified in Resolution A.1192(33) of the General Assembly of the International Maritime Organization.
In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom 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 is involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports in the Baltic Sea and the Pacific Ocean region, mainly to China and India.
The tanker is affiliated with Prominent Shipmanagement Limited (Hong Kong), which is the operator of the shadow fleet involved in the transportation of sanctioned russian and Iranian oil and which was sanctioned by USA on January 10, 2025 in connection with the management of the tanker fleet, the shadow fleet involved in the transportation of sanctioned russian oil, including the Fjord Seal, which called at a russian port where the price of oil was constantly exceeding the upper ceiling of $60 per barrel, and the Samsun, which was involved in the transportation of Iranian oil.
The tanker is also affiliated with K&O SHIPMANAGEMENT FZE, the fleet manager of which, master Yevgeny Chubenko, is also the fleet manager at russia's Sovcomflot PJSC.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.
After the sanctions were imposed, the vessel changed its name, flag country and management.
Since May 21 and June 3, 2025, the EU and Switzerland, respectively, have imposed sanctions on the vessel for transporting crude oil/petroleum products originating in or exported from rRussia, using irregular shipping practices with a high degree of risk, as specified in Resolution A.1192(33) of the General Assembly of the International Maritime Organization.
On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In August 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the tanker's master.
In November 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is involved in the export of sanctioned russian oil/oil products from russian ports in the Baltic, Black Seas, and the Pacific region, mainly to China and India, using high-risk practices, including disabling AIS and conducting dark activities in the Baltic Sea.
The tanker called at a russian port, where the price of oil was constantly exceeding the price cap of $60 per barrel of russian oil.
On September 17, 2024, the russian Federal State Budgetary Institution "Main Directorate of the Northern Sea Route" issued a permit for the period until October 15, 2024 for transit navigation of a vessel without ice class along the Northern Sea Route from east to west.
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 owned and operated by Celestial Star Corp (Seychelles), a sanctioned company, which was sanctioned by USA on January 10, 2025 for its activities in the energy sector of the russian economy.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since February 25, March 04, 2025 the EU and Switzerland respectively have 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).
On April 11, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of vessel IMO 9299769.
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.