Shadow Fleet

Marine vessels involved in the transportation of sanctioned oil
Total number:
1404
Marine vessels
534
Masters
Updated: 07.05.2026
The shadow tanker fleet transports growing volumes of sanctioned oil around the world, generates billions of dollars in revenue for russia and Iran, threatens environmental safety in the oceans, serves as a spy platform, and is used for sabotage activities in the interests of the aggressor.
The sanctioned countries are looking for new markets for oil, building up their tanker fleet to circumvent restrictions, and shipping crude oil mainly to China and India.
The shadow tanker fleet with a total deadweight of more than 100 million tons (approximately 17% of the world`s oil tanker fleet) consists of more than a thousand mostly outdated, poorly maintained vessels without proper insurance, with ‘confusing’ ownership and management structures located in ‘friendly’ jurisdictions, under ‘convenient’ flags. Such vessels resort to deceptive tactics at sea to conceal the origin of their cargo, threaten ‘environmental chaos’ and billions of dollars in losses to coastal countries by passing through busy, narrow international transportation routes without pilotage. Since the beginning of russia`s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, shadow tankers have already been involved in more than 50 incidents from the Danish Straits to Malaysia.
 
 
 
 
Category
Sanctions
 
 
DWT: 88 516 тис.тоннTotal: 854
ARKHITEKTOR
Vessel name
ARKHITEKTOR
IMO
9381744
Flag (Current)
russian federation russian federation
Vessel Type
Crude Oil Tanker
Category
Transportation of fossil fuels in violation of sanctions and other restrictions
icon arrow-tree Transporting russian crude oil / petroleum products
The tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products, including to the EU, in violation of the G7 and EU oil embargo. In particular, the tanker exported russian crude oil/petroleum products twice in June 2023 to EU countries in violation of EU and G7 oil embargo from the port of Tuapse (russia) to the Gulf of Lakonikos (Greece).
The vessel affiliated with the beneficiaries of the sanctioned shipping company Hennesea Holdings Limited (UAE), founded in late 2022, operating in the maritime sector of the russian economy. Shortly before the entry into force of the price-cap policy, Hennesea acquired old tankers transporting russian crude oil and oil products and entering russian ports.
In January 2024, USA imposed sanctions to vessels affiliated with the beneficiaries of Hennesea.
On July 02, 2025, the sanctioned tanker IMO 9381744 was at anchor near Piraeus (Greece), then it passed through the Strait of Gibraltar on July 09, 2025, and on July 11, 2025, it passed through Spanish waters near Santa Cruz de La Palma.
The vessel sails and was in the waters of European countries under the flag of Guinea, while according to GISIS IMO data as of July 2025, the flag of the vessel IMO 9381744 is marked as "Guinea False". At the same time, according to GISIS IMO, the tanker's registration name as of early July 2025 is ANTILA.
Since September 12, 2025, the United Kingdom has 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.
As of January 2026, the tanker is involved in the transportation of Venezuelan oil/oil products.
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ALGORITM
Vessel name
ALGORITM
IMO
9299745
Flag (Current)
russian federation russian federation
Vessel Type
Oil Products Tanker
Category
Transportation of fossil fuels in violation of sanctions and other restrictions
icon arrow-tree Transporting russian crude oil / petroleum products
The tanker is involved in the export of russian oil, including to EU countries in violation of the G7 and EU oil embargo, in particular, in June 2023 voyaged from the Black Sea port of Tuapse (russia) to transvesselment points off the coast of countries that have imposed an oil embargo on russian oil (Lakonikos Gulf, Greece); twice transported russian crude oil in violation of the G7 oil embargo from russian ports on the Black Sea to EU countries in May 2023 (from the port of Tuapse to Lakonikos Gulf, Greece).
The vessel affiliated with the beneficiaries of the sanctioned shipping company Hennesea Holdings Limited (UAE), founded in late 2022, operating in the maritime sector of the russian economy. Shortly before the entry into force of the price-cap policy, Hennesea acquired old tankers transporting russian crude oil and oil products and entering russian ports.
The vessel is also involved in the transport of Iranian crude oil and petroleum products.
In January 2024, USA imposed sanctions to vessels affiliated with the beneficiaries of Hennesea.
In 2025, the vessel calls at the ports of Venezuela.
According to GISIS IMO, the vessel is sailing under the false flag of Eswatini.
Since September 12, 2025, the United Kingdom has 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.
On February 21, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of the vessel.
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AKKORD
Vessel name
AKKORD
IMO
9259599
Flag (Current)
russian federation russian federation
Vessel Type
Crude Oil Tanker
Category
Transportation of fossil fuels in violation of sanctions and other restrictions
icon arrow-tree Transporting russian crude oil / petroleum products
The vessel is affiliated with the shipping company Hennesea Holdings Limited (UAE). Hennesea Holdings Limited was founded in late 2022. Shortly before the price cap policy on russian crude oil came into force, Hennesea Holdings Limited acquired old tankers. These vessels transported russian crude oil/petroleum products under western sanctions.
In January 2024, the US imposed sanctions on Hennesea Holdings Limited and part of its fleet, including tanker IMO 9259599, for violating the price cap policy.
Since September 12, 2025, the United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on the tanker.
In November 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
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 9259599. 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.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
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AVIOR
Vessel name
AVIOR
IMO
9164512
Flag (Current)
russian federation russian federation
Vessel Type
Oil Products Tanker
Category
Cargo transportation from/to ТОТ of Ukraine
icon arrow-tree Calling ports of the TOT
The tanker has been implicated in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products and in the bunkering of ships in the Azov–Black Sea basin during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products.
The tanker has made port calls at terminals in the TOT (temporarily occupied territory) of Crimea, Ukraine, and at the russian Sheskharis terminal, which is a transshipment complex and the end point of the main pipelines of JSC Chernomortransneft (АО "Черномортранснефть", TIN 2315072242, under USA sanctions) — a subsidiary of the sanctioned russian company PJSC Transneft (ПАО "Транснефть", TIN 7706061801).
The tanker is affiliated with the sanctioned russian company PJSC Lukoil (ПАО "Лукойл").
On May 20, 2025, the European Union imposed sanctions, which entered into force on May 21, 2025, on the tanker for transporting 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.
On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In November 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
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