Marine vessels

The vessel is owned by the sanctioned russian company Middle-Volga Shipping Company LLC (ООО "Средневолжская судоходная компания"), which is subject to Ukrainian sanctions and acts as a supplier to the sanctioned Rosnefteflot JSC (АО "Роснефтефлот") under at least two contracts worth RUB 94.4 million within the russian state procurement system. Rosnefteflot JSC is part of the group of the sanctioned russian state-owned company Rosneft Oil Company PJSC (ПАО "НК "Роснефть"), one of the largest oil producers in the world. The main activities of Rosnefteflot JSC include chartering tanker vessels for Rosneft PJSC, and organizing river transportation within the Volga-Don, Azov-Don, Volga, and Volga-Baltic basins. The fleet of the vessel’s owner includes other sanctioned vessels. Since May 2023, the tanker has been consistently engaged in dark activity near the Kerch Strait, in the Black Sea and Azov Sea, including the area between Mariupol and Yeysk. In August 2024, the tanker bunkered the sanctioned vessel IMO 9903877 in the Kerch Strait area of the Azov Sea, as well as the vessel IMO 9224441, which is affiliated with the sanctioned russian company Sovcomflot PJSC (ПАО "Совкомфлот")—the largest state-owned shipping company in russia specializing in offshore hydrocarbon support and the transportation of russian oil, petroleum products, and liquefied natural gas. Its vessels are primarily chartered by major russian oil and gas companies and traders. Also in August 2024, the tanker bunkered the vessels IMO 9720263 (under U.S. sanctions), IMO 9715270, and IMO 8866321—all participants in schemes involving the theft of Ukrainian grain from the temporarily occupied territories (TOT) of Ukraine. In November 2022, the tanker conducted a ship-to-ship (STS) transfer with tanker IMO 9309576 (under U.S., EU, and Swiss sanctions), which is also affiliated with Sovcomflot PJSC.

The tanker, during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, is actively involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports, in particular from the port of Novorossiysk to Libya, as well as to other countries through STS transmissions, including with the AIS signal turned off in the Kerch Strait, russian ports in the Black Sea, and near Romania. In the Kerch Strait area, the tanker made STS transmissions in February 2023 with tanker IMO 8727953, owned and operated by the russian company Yarbunker LLC (TIN 760700700140), in February, March, June 2023 with tanker IMO 9637973, in March 2023 with tanker IMO 9612911, owned and operated by the russian company Volgotrans LLC (TIN 6317079434, under Ukrainian sanctions), in March 2023 with the IMO tanker 9838204 owned and operated by the russian company Capital Group JSC (TIN 9722041203). In April 2023, after leaving the port of Novorossiysk, the tanker near Romania made an STS transfer with tanker IMO 9336490, affiliated with Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE, under UK sanctions), one of the leading operators of the russian shadow fleet in 2022-2023, which played a significant role in the transportation of russian oil, as well as with Fractal's affiliate Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ (UAE). The tanker systematically calls at the Sheskaris terminal (Novorossiysk port), a transshipment complex that is the end point of the main pipelines of Chernomortransneft JSC (TIN 2315072242, under USA sanctions), a subsidiary of the sanctioned Transneft PJSC (TIN 7706061801). On April 11, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the captain of the tanker IMO 9264283.

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 ports in the Baltic Sea, conducting deceptive, high-risk practices, in particular, conducting dark activities with AIS turned off near the russian port of Ust-Luga, Portugal (in March 2024), Oman (for 5 days in November 2023), Yemen (for 3 days in October 2023), Morocco (in January 2023), and STS transmissions, in particular near Greece. The tanker is affiliated with Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE, under UK sanctions for its involvement in servicing the energy sector of the russian economy). Fractal Marine DMCC is considered to be one of the leading operators of the so-called shadow fleet involved in the export of russian crude oil/oil products under Western sanctions in 2022-2023. The shipping company Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE) was established shortly before the G7 countries introduced a price-cap policy on russian crude oil/oil products and played a significant role in the transportation of russian crude oil/oil products under sanctions. The tanker is also affiliated with Macario Shipping LLC (UAE), whose fleet participated in the sanctioned trade. As of early March 2025, only the tanker IMO 9282041 remained under the management of Macario Shipping LLC. Since February 22, 2024, the commercial management of the tanker has been carried out by the Turkish company Westanker Ltd, which is included in the list of 11 'players' in the Turkish segment of the russian shadow fleet management, which together have been managing almost 50 tankers since the beginning of 2024 and helping russia to circumvent the policy of price cap on russian crude oil/oil products. Thus, six oil tankers IMO 9308077, IMO 9321677, IMO 9282508, IMO 9390587, IMO 9413004, IMO 9326885, which were operated by the sanctioned company Fractal Marine DMCC, were transferred to the management of the Turkish company Westanker Ltd on the same day (February 22, 2024). In 2024, all six tankers were actively involved in the transportation of russian crude oil/oil products from russian ports in the Black sea, Baltic and Arctic regions of russia.

The tanker during the period of the G7+ oil embargo, the price cap policy on russian crude oil/oil products is involved in the export of russian crude oil/oil products from russian ports in the Baltic Sea, and resorts to conducting dark activities with the disabling of AIS in the area of the russian ports of Vistino, Ust-Luga. 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 crude oil/oil products in 2022-2023. The shipping company Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE) was established 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 crude oil. 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 operated a fleet of 28 tankers as an intermediary between ship owners and charterers. 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 crude oil/oil products from the Baltic and Black Seas 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 crude 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. The commercial management of the vessel is carried out by the Turkish company Westanker Ltd, which is included in the list of 11 "players" in the Turkish segment of the russian shadow fleet management, which together have been managing 47 tankers since the beginning of 2024 and helping russia to circumvent the price ceiling regime for russian oil. The safety management of the tanker in 2023-2024 was carried out by Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ (UAE), which also managed 19 other vessels affiliated with Fractal Marine DMCC. In particular, on January 10, 2025, the 19-year-old tanker EVENTIN, the safety management of which was provided by Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ, loaded with russian oil (99 thousand tons) in the port of Ust-Luga, lost control in the Baltic Sea. According to the German Havariekommando, the vessel's power supply system and engine failed, it lost its ability to maneuver and began to drift at low speed in the open sea near the island of Rügen. This incident once again demonstrates the growing threat of oil spills by outdated shadow fleet vessels.

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 ports in the Baltic Sea, and resorts to dark activities by disabling AIS near the port of Ust-Luga. 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 crude oil/oil products in 2022-2023. The shipping company Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE) was established 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. 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 operated a fleet of 28 tankers as an intermediary between ship owners and charterers. Fractal Marine DMCC, together with Gatik Ship Management (India) and Radiating World Shipping Services LLC (UAE, under UK sanctions), are considered to be the leading operators of the russian shadow fleet, which in early 2023 assembled a fleet of about 90 tankers, 90% of which transported russian crude oil/oil products from the Baltic and Black Seas 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 crude oil/oil products. Fractal Marine DMCC, Gatik Ship Management and Radiating World Shipping Services LLC in the tanker market helped russian crude 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. The commercial management of the vessel in the period from February to July 2024 was carried out by the Turkish company Westanker Ltd, which is included in the list of 11 "players" in the Turkish segment of the russian shadow fleet management, which in total since the beginning of 2024 have been managing 47 tankers and have been helping russia to circumvent the price cap on russian oil. The safety management of the tanker in 2023-2024 was carried out by Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ (UAE), which also managed 19 other vessels affiliated with Fractal Marine DMCC. In particular, on January 10, 2025, the 19-year-old tanker EVENTIN, the safety management of which was provided by Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ, loaded with russian crude oil (99 thousand tons) in the port of Ust-Luga, lost control in the Baltic Sea. According to the German Havariekommando, the vessel's power supply system and engine failed, it lost its ability to maneuver and began to drift at low speed in the open sea near the island of Rügen. This incident once again demonstrates the growing threat of oil spills by obsolete shadow fleet vessels. In 2025, the vessel continues to call at russian ports, including the port of Ust-Luga.

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 ports in the Baltic and Black Seas, and resorts to conducting dark activities with the AIS disabled. 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 crude oil/oil products in 2022-2023. The shipping company Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE) was established 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. 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 operated a fleet of 28 tankers as an intermediary between ship owners and charterers. Fractal Marine DMCC, together with Gatik Ship Management (India) and Radiating World Shipping Services LLC (UAE, under UK sanctions), are considered to be the leading operators of the russian shadow fleet, which in early 2023 assembled a fleet of about 90 tankers, 90% of which transported russian crude oil/oil products from the Baltic and Black Seas 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 crude oil/oil products. Fractal Marine DMCC, Gatik Ship Management and Radiating World Shipping Services LLC in the tanker market helped russian crude 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. The safety management of the tanker in 2023-2024 was carried out by Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ (UAE), which also managed 19 other vessels affiliated with Fractal Marine DMCC. In particular, on January 10, 2025, the 19-year-old tanker EVENTIN, the safety management of which was provided by Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ, loaded with russian oil (99 thousand tons) in the port of Ust-Luga, lost control in the Baltic Sea. According to the German Havariekommando, the vessel's power supply system and engine failed, it lost its ability to maneuver and began to drift at low speed in the open sea near the island of Rügen. This incident once again demonstrates the growing threat of oil spills by outdated shadow fleet vessels.

During the period of the G7+ oil embargo and the 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. The tanker is associated with the sanctioned company Fractal Marine Shipping (UAE), which is considered as one of the leading operators of the shadow fleet, and in early 2023 was one of the three largest carriers of russian oil together with Radiating World Shipping Services LLC (UAE), Gatik Ship Management (India), and played a significant role in the export of russian oil to countries around the world during the period of sanctions restrictions. On February 22, 2024, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on Fractal Marine DMCC in connection with the company's involvement in servicing the russian energy sector. Fractal Marine DMCC managed a fleet of 28 tankers as an intermediary between shipowners and charterers. The technical management of the tanker in the period from March 2023 to March 2025 was carried out by Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ. Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ also provided technical management of the vessel IMO 9308065, which was involved in an incident in the Baltic Sea due to technical malfunctions. On January 10, 2025, the vessel IMO 9308065, loaded with russian oil (99 thousand tons) in the port of Ust-Luga, lost control in the Baltic Sea. According to the German Havariekommando, the vessel's power supply system and engine failed, it lost its ability to maneuver and began to drift at low speed in the open sea near the island of Rügen. This incident once again demonstrates the growing threat of oil spills by outdated shadow fleet vessels.

During the period of the G7+ oil embargo and the 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 in the Baltic and Black Seas, and in high-risk, deceptive practices, in particular, in the Kerch Strait area in the Black Sea (disabling AIS, making STS transmissions). In December 2024 and January 2025, the tanker called at the port of Komysh-Burun in the TOT of Crimea. In January 2025, STS transmissions were made in the Kerch Strait area in the Black Sea with the sanctioned tanker IMO 9252400 (on October 17, 2024, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel for illegal supplies of Iranian oil), with the tanker IMO 9224441 (affiliated through related companies with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia for servicing and supporting offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian crude oil, petroleum products, liquefied natural gas), which is involved in high-risk, deceptive practices in the Kerch Strait area and in December 2024 was supposed to receive fuel oil from the Volgoneft-212 tanker that sank in the Kerch Strait due to damage caused by a storm, which led to an environmental disaster, including in the temporarily occupied Crimea, due to a fuel oil spill. STS transmissions with the tanker IMO 9224441 in the Kerch Strait area also took place in December 2024. The tanker is affiliated with Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE, under UK sanctions for its involvement in servicing the energy sector of the russian economy). Fractal Marine DMCC is considered to be one of the leading operators of the so-called shadow fleet involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products under Western sanctions in 2022-2023. The shipping company Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE) was established shortly before the G7 countries introduced a price-cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products and played a significant role in the transportation of russian crude oil/petroleum products under sanctions restrictions. The tanker is also affiliated with Macario Shipping LLC (UAE), which fleet participated in the sanctioned trade. As of early March 2025, only the tanker IMO 9282041 remained under the management of Macario Shipping LLC. The commercial management of the tanker from February 22 to May 2024 was carried out by the Turkish company Westanker Ltd, which is included in the list of 11 "players" in the Turkish segment of the russian shadow fleet management, which in total have managed almost 50 tankers since the beginning of 2024 and helped russia to circumvent the price cap on russian crude oil/petroleum products. Thus, six oil tankers IMO 9308077, IMO 9321677, IMO 9282508, IMO 9390587, IMO 9413004, IMO 9326885, which were operated by the sanctioned company Fractal Marine DMCC, were transferred to the management of the Turkish company Westanker Ltd on the same day (February 22, 2024). In 2024, all six tankers were actively involved in the transportation of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Black sea, Baltic and Arctic regions of russia. The safety management of the tanker from February 2023 to February 2025 was carried out by Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ (UAE), which also managed 19 other vessels affiliated with Fractal Marine DMCC. In particular, on January 10, 2025, the 19-year-old tanker IMO 9308065, safety management of which was provided by Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ, loaded with russian oil (99 thousand tons) in the port of Ust-Luga, lost control in the Baltic Sea. According to the German Havariekommando, the vessel's power supply system and engine failed, the ship lost its ability to maneuver and began to drift at low speed in the open sea near the island of Rügen. This incident once again demonstrates the growing threat of oil spills by outdated shadow fleet vessels. As of July 17, 2025, the safety management of the tanker is carried out by Tarabya Logistics Ltd (UAE). As of July 17, 2025, Tarabya Logistics Ltd provides safety management of 13 non-sanctioned oil tankers (12 tankers are affiliated with Fractal Marine DMCC, one is affiliated with russian PJSC Sovcomflot), which have P&I Club insurance and transport russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Baltic, Black Seas, Pacific region mainly to India, China, including with the use of deceptive practices. Tarabya Logistics Ltd also carried out ISM management of the tanker IMO 9282493 from January to April 2025. After the sanctions were imposed on the vessel in February 2025, the security management of tanker IMO 9282493 was transferred to the Indian company VANSHIP MARITIME PVT LTD, incorporated in August 2024 and with a fleet of only one vessel.

During the period of the G7+ oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, the VLCC tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products, in particular, through STS transfers near European countries. In particular, the tanker carried out STS transmissions with the sanctioned tanker IMO 9419448 in July 2024 in the Gulf of Lakonikos (Greece), which left the russian port of Ust-Luga on June 23, 2024. There are also STS transmissions in the Laconikos Gulf (Greece) with the super tanker IMO 9402732, 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. The super tanker IMO 9402732 carries out STS transmissions with tankers delivering russian crude oil/petroleum products, in particular from russian ports in the Black Sea. Earlier, there were STS transmissions in the Laconikos Gulf with the tanker IMO 9144782 of the shadow fleet built in 1997, which is also involved in the transportation of Iranian oil. Transshipment of crude oil/petroleum products of russian origin by STS method allows to conceal the ownership and origin of the cargo, legalize their supply to EU countries, 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 tanker is engaged in transportation of russian oil products to third countries and has repeatedly delivered shipments of russian oil products to the transshipment point in the Gulf of Lakonikos (Greece). The vessel is actively using deceptive, high-risk practices (turning off AIS near Greece, Malta, in the Kerch Strait area). The tanker CHONGCHON is affiliated with Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment LLC, which is linked to India's Gatik Ship Management, one of the leading operators of the so-called "shadow" fleet, which played a key role in the transportation of russian oil under Western sanctions in 2022-2023. Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment LLC along with a number of other companies, namely Caishan Ship Management, Plutos Ship Management, Orion Ship Management, Geras Ship Management, Girik Ship Management, Gaurik Ship Management LLP, Galena Ship Management, Nautilus Shipping (India), Zidan Ship Management, was involved in a scheme to "juggle" vessels operated by Gatik Ship Management to avoid 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 transportation of crude oil/oil products from russian ports in the Black Sea using deceptive, high-risk practices (disabling AIS, in particular, in the Kerch Strait, Greece). The tanker is affiliated through the sanctioned companies SCF Management Services Cyprus (Cyprus), Sun Ship Management (UAE), Oil Tankers SCF MGMT FZCO (UAE), Fornax Ship Management FZCO (UAE) with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia that services and provides offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian crude oil, oil products, and liquefied 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. Since September 2024, the commercial manager of the tanker has been the Turkish company Golden Gate Ship Management Ltd, and since October 2024, the ISM manager has been the Turkish company Pier Denizcilik Ve Ticaret Ltd. These Turkish companies manage another tanker AKAR WEST (IMO 9258167), affiliated through the sanctioned companies SCF Management Services Cyprus (Cyprus), Sun Ship Management (UAE), Oil Tankers SCF MGMT FZCO (UAE), Fornax Ship Management FZCO (UAE) with PJSC Sovcomflot. After the sanctions were imposed, PJSC Sovcomflot transferred dozens of vessels to the ownership of companies it had set up, including in foreign jurisdictions, in order to circumvent them, and started the practice of constantly 'juggling' (transferring) vessels to related companies. Tankers 're-registered' by PJSC Sovcomflot to related companies continue to transport russian crude oil/oil products under Western sanctions.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian oil/oil products from russian ports in the Black and Azov Seas, mainly to Turkey and Egypt, and uses deceptive practices (disabling AIS), including in the Kerch Strait area, calls at the port n the TOT of Crimea (the port on the shores of the Kerch Strait, located near the village of Zhukivka, is part of the Kerch ferry service (the line from the port of Crimea to the port of Caucasus), in 2014-2015 the port was dredged, which increased the capacity of the line). The vessel is owned by the russian company Middle-Volga Shipping Company LLC (under Ukrainian sanctions), which is a supplier to the sanctioned Rosnefteflot JSC (under at least two contracts worth 94.4 million rubles) within the russian state procurement system. Rosnefteflot JSC is a part of the group of the sanctioned russian PJSC Rosneft Oil Company, a russian state-owned oil and gas company, one of the world's largest oil producers. The main activities of Rosnefteflot JSC are, in particular, chartering of the tanker fleet for the benefit of Rosneft, organization of river transportation in the interests of Rosneft in the Volga-Don, Azov-Don, Volga and Volga-Baltic basins.