Marine vessels

The tanker is involved in the export of russian oil/oil products from russian ports in the Azov and Black Seas, mainly to Turkey and Egypt, uses deceptive practices (AIS shutdown, spoofing), including in the Kerch Strait area, calls at the port of Crimea (a port on the shore of the Kerch Strait, located near the village of Zhukovka, is part of the Kerch ferry service (the line from the port of Crimea to the port of Kavkaz), in 2014-2015 the port was dredged, which increased the capacity of the line), the port of Kerch in the TOT of Crimea. The vessel is affiliated with the russian company Middle-Volga Shipping Company LLC (under Ukrainian sanctions), which is a supplier to the sanctioned Rosnefteflot JSC (at least under 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, the 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. The owner and manager of the vessel is the Maltese company Hai Ocean Shipping Co Ltd, which is associated, in particular, with russian citizen Mikhail Slobodov as one of the two owners of the company.

The tanker is involved in the transportation of Iranian oil, export of russian oil from russian ports in the Baltic Sea, the Pacific Ocean region to third countries, and deceptive practices, including AIS manipulation/spoofing. The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of a shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian crude oil around the world through the Baltic Sea, the Kadetsky Canal area in the Mecklenburg Bay, and threatening the environment. According to the American human rights group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), which monitors Iran-related tanker traffic using satellite data, the vessel was involved in the transportation of Iranian oil. According to UANI, the tanker was engaged in AIS signal spoofing while loading crude oil from Sirri Island (Iran) in August 2021, as well as MMSI spoofing by posing as another vessel while unloading Iranian oil in Banias (Syria) in September 2021. In particular, during the offloading of Iranian oil in Banias (Syria) in September 2021, according to AIS data, the vessel was anchored west of the Cyprus STS transmission zone, while sending AIS messages from Spain at 36.179, 5.926. Since the beginning of russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, more than 90 vessels that previously helped Tehran export Iranian export oil are now helping russia transport russian crude oil/oil products. In May 2022, UANI first predicted that russia would turn to the 'ghost armada' to ensure oil flows to its Chinese partner. UANI also included the tanker in the list of tankers of the Maduro-Khamenei Oil Alliance involved in the transportation of Iranian and Venezuelan oil. On June 11, 2022, Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi signed a 20-year cooperation agreement to expand ties in the oil and petrochemical industries, military and economic spheres. Since then, bilateral ties have been developing: in 2023, Iran supplied more than 12 million barrels of crude oil and gas condensate, and Venezuela supplied about the same amount of fuel oil to Iran in return. Most of the cargo is transported by vessels of the sanctioned National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) in both directions: Iranian oil and gas are unloaded in Venezuelan ports, and the same NITC tankers load Venezuelan fuel oil on the way back to China. A significant number of non-NITC vessels flying foreign (not Iranian) flags are also involved in the trade.

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, conducting deceptive, high-risk practices, including conducting dark activities with AIS disabled near the russian port of Ust-Luga. 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 the sanctioned company Oceanlink Maritime DMCC (UAE), which was the commercial manager of the tanker from December 2023 to June 2024. Oceanlink Maritime DMCC is affiliated with the sanctioned fleet of 10 vessels (LNG tankers, crude oil tankers, oil product tankers) and was involved in the transportation of Iranian commodities on behalf of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces (AFGS) and the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL). The tanker is also affiliated with Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ (UAE), which was the ISM manager of the tanker in 2024. Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ managed 20 vessels affiliated with Fractal Marine DMCC. A vessel from the Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ fleet loaded with russian oil was involved in an incident in the Baltic Sea that threatened environmental safety. In particular, on January 10, 2025, the 19-year-old tanker IMO 9308065, 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, 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. Since 2023, the vessel's management has changed 4 times. As of April 2025, the owner of the tanker is Lasiglia Investment Inc (Marshall Islands), and the ship's safety is managed by Tarabya Logistics LTD (UAE), which also manages nine tankers (one of which is under sanctions) affiliated with Fractal Marine DMCC (IMO 9252955, IMO 9282481, IMO 9282493 (under EU sanctions), IMO 9282508, IMO 9332171, IMO 9379301, IMO 9387279, IMO 9390587, IMO 9413004), as well as the tanker IMO 9299707, affiliated with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia that provides services and support for offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian crude oil, petroleum products, liquefied natural gas, and 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 change of management, the tanker continues to make calls to the russian port of Ust-Luga in the Baltic Sea, participating in servicing the energy sector of the russian economy, which is a significant source of funding for the military budget of the aggressor country.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil to third countries from russian ports in the Black and Baltic Seas, including with AIS disabled, was involved in the transportation of Venezuelan oil and switched to the transportation of sanctioned russian oil. The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of a shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world through the Baltic Sea, the Cadet Canal area in the Bay of Mecklenburg and threatening the environment. The tanker is flagged by Cameroon, which is included in the Paris MOU on the blacklist of flags, which is formed based on the results of inspections of the technical condition of ships. According to the Lloyds List analytical center, the tanker is an example of high-risk, dark and fraudulent activities related to fraudulent actions of technical management companies that led to the assignment of unique numbers by the International Maritime Organization. In this regard, an intersessional working group was established by the IMO Legal Committee to determine the levels of due diligence required for the use of the unique company owner identification number scheme and IMO registered owners.

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 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.

According to the US-based human rights group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), which monitors Iran-related tanker traffic using satellite data, the vessel was involved in the transportation of Iranian oil and has switched to transporting russian crude since June 2023. Since the beginning of russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, more than 100 vessels that previously helped Iran export Iranian export oil are now helping russia transport russia's crude oil/petroleum products. In May 2022, UANI first predicted that russia would turn to a "ghost armada" to ensure oil flows to its Chinese partner. From April 2023 to January 2024, the tanker was affiliated with the Chinese company Runfeng Shipmanagement Co Ltd, the fleet of which, as of April 23, 2025, includes one sanctioned vessel IMO 9174220, involved in the transportation of iranian oil to numerous refineries in China, STS transshipment with a vessel of the sanctioned National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) near Singapore to transport tens of thousands of metric tons of Iranian crude oil.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian oil mainly to China, in violation of the G7 and EU oil embargo on russian oil in April 2024. In violation of the oil embargo, the vessel transported russian crude oil from the port of St. Petersburg in the Baltic Sea to the Laconikos Gulf, Greece, in April 2024. According to the USA-based human rights group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), which monitors Iran-related tanker traffic using satellite data, the vessel was involved in the transportation of Iranian oil and switched to transporting russian oil in December 2020. Oil exports from russia are the most important source of income for the regime of the aggressor country to finance the war against Ukraine. From February 2022 to November 22, 2024, russia earned almost 546 billion euros in oil export revenues (69% of all fossil fuel export revenues). In 2023, about a third of all tax revenues in russia came from the sale of oil and gas. The tax on oil production collected by the russian federation in 2023 amounted to 8.9 trillion rubles, or 31% of total federal revenues. According to the CREA data for October 2024, russia's revenues from crude oil exported by sea amounted to 210 million euros per day, 83% of the total volume of russian marine crude oil was transported by shadow tankers, while tankers owned or insured in countries that impose price restrictions accounted for 17% of the total value of russian oil exported in October. 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.

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, in particular, from russian ports in the Black Sea, delivers russian crude oil from russian ports in the Black Sea to the Gulf of Lakonikos (Greece) for further STS transfers with the supertanker SAATHI (IMO 9402732 of the VLCC type), 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 in 2022-2023. Also, in January 2025, an STS transmission was made in the Gulf of Lakonicos with the tanker CHEETAH-II (IMO 9222560), which left the Kerch Strait (port of Kavkaz), where it had been conducting dark activities for a long time, and called at the port of Komysh-Burun (TOT Crimea) in December 2024. The VOLTA RIVER tanker has been conducting so-called dark activities with AIS disabled in the area of the Kerch Strait, the russian ports of Tuapse and Ust-Luga.

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 oil to third countries from russian ports, and resorts to the practice of turning off the AIS signal, conducting so-called 'dark activities' at sea. The vessel 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 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. On February 22, 2024, 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 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. India, UAE - the jurisdictions of the leading shadow fleet operators Fractal Marine DMCC, Gatik Ship Management and Radiating World Shipping Services LLC, have not joined the price-cap policy and do not apply restrictions to russian oil. Fractal Marine DMCC, Gatik Ship Management and Radiating World Shipping Services LLC in the tanker market helped russian oil to continue circulating around the world and the russian government to provide 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 established, in particular, in the UAE. Thus, the UAE-based Aizdihar Ship Charter FZCO took over 2 tankers that had previously been managed by Fractal Marine DMCC - IMO 9400980 and IMO 9417464. These vessels, managed by Aizdihar Ship Charter FZCO, continue to export russian oil/oil products from russian ports in the Baltic Sea. The shadow tanker fleet continues to provide multibillion-dollar revenues for the kremlin bypassing sanctions, 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.

Since September 2022 and during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and price-cap policy on russian oil, the tanker has been involved in exporting russian oil from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas to India, mainly, and has also been involved in violating the G7 and EU embargo. In particular, in March 2023, it was transporting russian oil from the russian port of Kavkaz in the Black Sea to the EU countries (Laconikos Gulf, Greece). 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 commercial management of the vessel is carried out by the Turkish company Westanker Ltd, which is included in the list of 11 new 'players' in the Turkish segment of the russian shadow fleet management, which together since the beginning of 2024 have been managing 47 tankers and helping russia to circumvent the price ceiling regime for russian oil. Thus, on the same day (February 22, 2024), six oil tankers ІМО 9308077, ІМО 9321677, ІМО 9282508, ІМО 9390587, ІМО 9413004, ІМО 9326885, which were operated by the sanctioned company Fractal Marine DMCC, were transferred to the management of the Turkish company Westanker Ltd. All six tankers in 2024 are actively involved in the transportation of russian oil from russian ports in the Black, Baltic Seas and Arctic regions of russia. The tanker's security is managed by Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ (UAE), which also manages 19 other vessels affiliated with Fractal Marine DMCC. Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE, under UK sanctions) is one of the leading operators of the russian shadow fleet in 2022-2023, 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. 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 russia's oil/oil products from russian Baltic and Black seas ports 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 provide multibillion-dollar revenues bypassing sanctions. On February 22, 2024, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on Fractal Marine DMCC in connection with its involvement in servicing the russian energy sector. After the sanctions were imposed, Fractal Marine 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 tanker is involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports in the Baltic Sea to third countries, transportation of russian oil from the russian port of Ust-Luga to the EU countries (Laconikos Gulf, Greece) in violation of the G7 and EU oil embargo. The ship was involved in dark activities near the Netherlands (for 10 days in August 2024), near Greece (for 6 days in August 2024), and near Greece in the area of the so-called STS hub in May 2024. The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as a shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment.

During the period of the G7, EU oil embargo and price-cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, the tanker was involved in 2023, early 2024 in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products, and in conducting dark activities at sea, in particular near russian ports in the Black Sea, in the Kola Bay area. The tanker is affiliated with the Turkish company Active Denizcilik ve Gemi (under UK sanctions), which was the commercial and ISM manager of the vessel from June 2023 to March 2024. Active Denizcilik ve Gemi is one of the top three ranking Turkish operators, which in 2023 provided transportation of tens 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.