Shadow Fleet

The tanker is involved in the transportation of sanctioned Iranian oil, has been involved in the transportation of illegal Iranian oil since at least 2023, and has been engaged in deceptive practices and dark activities near Iran and Malaysia. In July 2024, the FIONA II transported almost 2 million barrels of Iranian crude oil to China on behalf of the sanctioned National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC). The National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) is one of the largest oil and gas companies in the world and is controlled by the Iranian Ministry of Oil. NIOC and its subsidiaries explore, produce, transport, process and export oil and natural gas in Iran. NIOC's oil deals, including those of its subsidiaries, are used to generate revenue for the IRGC-QF (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) and Hizballah.
Iran relies on an extensive network of tankers and ship management companies in many jurisdictions to transport its oil to foreign customers, using deceptive tactics (falsification of documentation, manipulation of ship tracking systems, and constant changes of ship names and flags). One of the most commonly used tactics to evade oil sanctions is 'flag hopping' in various national registries, which allows the vessel to carry out transportation and have the right to moor. This tactic is often accompanied by the creation of fictitious companies, change of owners, managers, ship names, and change of physical markings of the vessel. Some shipowners deliberately use flag registries to evade sanctions, many of which do not have the resources and capabilities to track and verify the history of ships.
On December 03, 2024, the United States imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is involved in the transportation of sanctioned Iranian oil, in particular, the vessel was used by Iran in July 2023 to deliver almost 2 million barrels of Iranian light crude oil, and resorts to deceptive practices, including disabling the AIS system and conducting dark activities near Malaysia.
Iran relies on an extensive network of tankers and ship management companies in multiple jurisdictions to transport its oil to foreign customers, using deceptive tactics such as falsifying documentation, manipulating ship tracking systems, and constantly changing ship names and flags. One of the most commonly used tactics to evade oil sanctions is 'flag hopping' in various national registries, which allows the vessel to carry out transportation and have the right to moor. This tactic is often accompanied by the creation of fictitious companies, change of owners, managers, ship names, and change of physical markings of the vessel. Some shipowners deliberately use flag registries to evade sanctions, many of which do not have the resources and capabilities to track and verify the history of ships.
On December 03, 2024, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is involved in the transportation of Venezuelan, Iranian crude oil.
In particular, in January 2024, near Singapore, the tanker transshipped nearly 300,000 metric tons of Iranian oil from ship to ship on behalf of sanctioned Jazira Das International Products Trading LLC (UAE), China Concord Petroleum Company (CCPC), and the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC). The National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) is one of the largest oil and gas companies in the world and is controlled by the Iranian Ministry of Oil. NIOC and its subsidiaries explore, produce, transport, refine, and export oil and natural gas in Iran. NIOC's oil deals, including those of its subsidiaries, are used to generate profits for the IRGC-QF (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) and Hizballah. Jazira Das International Products Trading LLC — a UAE-registered company involved in falsifying documents to "disguise" Iranian oil from the sanctioned National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) as Emirati oil, coordinating many NIOC oil shipments to the sanctioned China Concord Petroleum Company, and concealing NIOC's involvement in the shipments.
Many tankers involved in transporting Iranian crude oil to countries such as China are involved in Venezuelan trade, including tanker IMO 9229439. 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 relations 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 foreign (non-Iranian) flags are also involved in this trade.
In July 2024, the vessel IMO 9229439 collided with another oil tanker, causing an oil spill in international waters near Malaysia. During the collision, the tracking signals from IMO 9229439 did not correspond to its position, which prevented communication with the other vessel.
On December 3, 2024, the United States imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is involved in the transportation of sanctioned Iranian oil, deceptive practices with the disabling of AIS signals, and dark activities near Iran.
Iran relies on an extensive network of tankers and ship management companies in multiple jurisdictions to transport its oil to foreign customers, using deceptive tactics such as falsifying documentation, manipulating ship tracking systems, and constantly changing ship names and flags. One of the most commonly used tactics to evade oil sanctions is 'flag hopping' in various national registries, which allows the vessel to carry out transportation and have the right to moor. This tactic is often accompanied by the creation of fictitious companies, change of owners, managers, ship names, and change of physical markings of the vessel. Some shipowners deliberately use flag registries to evade sanctions, many of which do not have the resources and capabilities to track and verify the history of their vessels.
The tanker is affiliated with the Indian company Tightship Shipping Management (OPC) Private Limited, whose fleet (including the tanker ІМО 9285756) is involved in the transportation of Iranian oil worth tens of millions of dollars for the sanctioned National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) at least since 2022. The National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) is one of the largest oil and gas companies in the world and is controlled by the Iranian Ministry of Oil. NIOC and its subsidiaries explore, produce, transport, refine and export oil and natural gas in Iran. The oil deals of NIOC, including its subsidiaries, are used to generate revenue for the IRGC-QF (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) and Hizballah.
On December 03, 2024, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is involved in the transportation of sanctioned Iranian oil, conducting dark activities at sea, in particular, for the STS oil transfer in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean with the participation of EMILY S (IMO 9321847), Merope (IMO 9281891), Skadi (IMO 9230971).
The vessel is affiliated with the Chinese company Shanghai Legendary Ship Management Company Limited (under USA sanctions), whose fleet has been involved in the illegal transportation of millions of barrels of Iranian oil since at least 2022.
On December 03, 2024, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Many tankers involved in transporting Iranian oil to countries such as China are also involved in Venezuelan trade, including tanker IMO 9292163. 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.
In March 2025, the US imposed a 25% tariff on countries importing Venezuelan oil. As part of Operation Southern Spear in December 2025, the US imposed a blockade on oil tankers entering/leaving Venezuelan ports. As part of the blockade, the US detained several tankers off the coast of Venezuela in December 2025 and early January 2026. At the same time, at least 16 tankers left Venezuelan waters in an attempt to avoid the naval blockade by the US Navy. The vessels, most of which were loaded with Venezuelan crude oil/petroleum products, left Venezuelan territorial waters with their AIS signals disabled, falsifying their coordinates to conceal their actual location. Among the 16 tankers, 15 vessels are under sanctions for transporting Iranian and russian crude oil/petroleum products. According to satellite images, tanker IMO 9292163 was tracked about 30 miles off the coast of Venezuela. At the same time, the ship used the name "Ekta" on its hull and signaled coordinates near the coast of Nigeria. The tanker probably loaded Venezuelan oil in circumvention of US sanctions and left Venezuela's main oil terminal, Puerto Jose, heading northeast.

The tanker is affiliated with Glazing Future Management NV, a Suriname-based company, which was sanctioned by USA on October 11, 2024 under EO 13846 in connection with the company's involvement in a significant number of transactions in the purchase, acquisition, sale, transportation or marketing of crude oil or petroleum products from Iran.
On October 11, 2024, USA imposed sanctions on the tanker as a property in which Glazing Future Management NV has an interest.

The tanker is involved in the delivery of numerous shipments of Iranian oil to refineries in China, is affiliated with the company Rita Shipping Inc (Marshall Islands).
On October 11, 2024, within the framework of expanding restrictions on Iran's petroleum/petrochemical sector, USA imposed sanctions on Rita Shipping Inc. pursuant to 13846 for providing material assistance, sponsorship or financial, material or technological support, or goods or services in support of the sanctioned National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) on or after November 05, 2018.
The National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) is one of the largest oil and gas companies in the world and is controlled by the Iranian Ministry of Oil. NIOC and its subsidiaries explore, produce, transport, process and export oil and natural gas in Iran. The oil deals of NIOC, including its subsidiaries, are used to generate revenue for the IRGC-QF (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) and Hizballah (Hezbollah). After russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, namely in July 2022 during putin's visit to Tehran, the National Iranian Oil Company and the russian sanctioned PJSC Gazprom signed a memorandum of understanding on strategic cooperation in the oil and gas sector worth about $40 billion.
On October 11, 2024, USA imposed sanctions on the tanker as a property in which Rita Shipping Inc has an interest pursuant to EO 13846.

The tanker is affiliated with Celia Armas Ltd, a Hong Kong-based company, which was sanctioned by USA on October 11, 2024 pursuant to EO 13846 for engaging in a significant number of transactions involving the purchase, acquisition, sale, transportation or marketing of crude oil or petroleum products from Iran.
Since russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, more than 100 vessels that previously helped Iran export oil are now helping russia transport russian 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 9224295. 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 October 11, 2024, the USA imposed sanctions on the tanker as a property in which Celia Armas Ltd has an interest.

The tanker has been implicated in the transportation of Iranian oil to numerous refineries in China, including conducting ship-to-ship (STS) transfers with a vessel of the sanctioned National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) near Singapore to move tens of thousands of metric tons of Iranian crude oil.
The National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) is a subsidiary of the sanctioned National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), which is controlled by the Iranian Ministry of Oil. NITC is responsible for transporting Iranian crude oil intended for export and plays a significant role in oil transactions that generate revenue for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps–Qods Force (IRGC-QF) and Hizballah (Hezbollah).
The tanker is affiliated with Cathay Harvest Marine Ltd (Hong Kong), which was sanctioned by the United States on October 11, 2024, under Executive Order (EO) 13846, as part of expanded restrictions on Iran’s oil and petrochemical sector, for providing material assistance, sponsorship, financial, material, or technological support, or goods or services in support of NIOC on or after November 5, 2018.
On the same date, the United States also imposed sanctions on the tanker as property in which Cathay Harvest Marine Ltd has an interest, pursuant to EO 13846.

The tanker is affiliated with the companies Engen Management NV, based in Suriname, Gabbaro Ship Services PVT LTD, based in India, which were sanctioned by USA on October 11, 2024 pursuant to EO 13846 because of the companies' involvement in a significant number of transactions in the purchase, acquisition, sale, transportation or marketing of crude oil or petroleum products from Iran.
On October 11, 2024, USA imposed sanctions on the tanker as a property in which Gabbaro Ship Services PVT LTD has an interest.
According to GISIS IMO data as of July 15, 2025, the vessel's registered name is HORNET, and the flag is designated as "Eswatini False".

The vessel participated in the transfer of hundreds of thousands of barrels of condensate from a vessel of the sanctioned National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC), and also carried out an STS transfer with an NITC vessel near Singapore for the transportation of tens of thousands of metric tons of condensate from the South Pars field (the world's largest natural gas condensate field located in the Persian Gulf, owned by Iran and Qatar).
The National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) is a subsidiary of the sanctioned National Iranian Oil Company, which is controlled by the Iranian Ministry of Oil. The National Iranian Tanker Company is responsible for the transportation of Iranian crude oil intended for export, plays a significant role in oil deals that are used to generate profits for the IRGC-QF (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) and Hizballah (Hezbollah).
On October 11, 2024, as part of the expansion of sanctions against Iran's oil/petrochemical sector, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel as a property in which Elza Shipping SA, which was also sanctioned by USA on October 11, 2024, has an interest.
According to GISIS ІМО data as of July 15, 2025, the vessel's registered name is ELZA, flag is unknown. At the same time, the vessel sails under the name ESTEGHLAL, the flag of Curacao.

The tanker is affiliated with Delnaz Ship Management Sdn Bhd, which was sanctioned by USA on October 11, 2024 as part of the expansion of restrictions on Iran's oil/petrochemical sector.
On October 11, 2024, USA imposed sanctions on the tanker as a property in which Delnaz Ship Management Sdn Bhd has an interest.