Shadow Fleet

The vessel is involved in the transportation of Iranian crude oil via STS using vessels affiliated with the sanctioned National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC), 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, and 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, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel as property in which the sanctioned company Max Maritime Solutions FZE has an interest.
According to GISIS ІМО data as of July 15, 2025, the vessel's registered name is BENDIGO, flag is unknown. At the same time, the vessel sails under the name BELMA, the flag of Curacao.

The vessel is involved in the transportation of Iranian crude oil via STS using vessels affiliated with the sanctioned National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC), 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, and 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, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel as property in which the sanctioned company Max Maritime Solutions FZE has an interest.
Many tankers involved in transporting Iranian oil to countries such as China are also involved in Venezuelan trade, including tanker IMO 9304655. 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.

The vessel is involved in the transportation of Iranian oil for numerous refineries in China.
On October 11, 2024, the United States imposed sanctions on the vessel as property in which the sanctioned company Max Maritime Solutions FZE has an interest.

The vessel is involved in the export of Iranian oil in circumvention of sanctions and the transportation of oil to a significant number of oil refineries in the PRC.
In 2023, the vessel was among the top 10 tankers involved in the transportation of the largest volumes of Iranian oil in circumvention of sanctions.
Many tankers involved in transporting Iranian oil to countries such as China are also involved in Venezuelan trade, including tanker IMO 9240512. 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 US imposed sanctions on the vessel as part of the expansion of sanctions on Iran's oil and petrochemical sectors.

The vessel has been affiliated with Alya Marine Sendirian Berhad, which was designated by the United States on 11 October 2024 for engaging in a significant number of transactions involving the purchase, acquisition, sale, transportation, or marketing of crude oil and petroleum products from Iran.
On the same date, the United States imposed sanctions on the tanker as property in which the designated Alya Marine Sendirian Berhad holds an interest.

The tanker is involved in the transportation of hundreds of metric tons of Iranian oil to China in several shipments on behalf of the sanctioned National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) and China Concord Petroleum Co Ltd.
The tanker is affiliated with the Chinese company Derecttor Company Limited, which was sanctioned by USA on October 11, 2024 as part of the expansion of restrictions on Iran's oil and petrochemical sectors. Also, on October 11, 2024, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel as a property in which Derecttor Company Limited has an interest.

The vessel is involved in the delivery of Iranian oil to China.
On October 11, 2024, as part of the expansion of restrictions on Iran's oil/petrochemical sector, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel as a property in which Davina Shipping Inc, which was also sanctioned by USA on October 11, 2024, has an interest.
According to GISIS IMO data as of July 15, 2025, the vessel's registered name is DAVINA, the flag is designated as "Curacao False". At the same time, the vessel sails under the name LENORE, "hiding" under the flag of Curacao.

The tanker was used by the sanctioned company China Concord Petroleum Co. Limited to deliver millions of barrels of Iranian oil from the sanctioned National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) to China.
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.
China Concord Petroleum Co., Limited is a key intermediary that helps Iran and Venezuela export crude oil to circumvent sanctions restrictions.
On October 11, 2024, as part of the expansion of restrictions on Iran's oil/petrochemical sector, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel as a property in which Delnaz Ship Management Sdn Bhd (the previous manager of the tanker) has an interest.
According to GISIS IMO, as of July 15, 2025, the vessel's registered name is HONG LU, and the flag is designated as "Curacao False". At the same time, the vessel sails under the name RHN, "hiding" under 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.

The tanker is involved in the transportation of Iranian oil/oil products.
The vessel is involved in the transportation of sanctioned cargo on behalf of the Lebanon-based company Concepto Screen SAL Off-Shore, which is owned by Hizballah.
On June 10, 2024, the US imposed sanctions on the tanker.
The tanker is involved in the transportation of Venezuelan crude oil/petroleum products. In December 2025, the tanker IMO 9230880, flying the Panamanian flag, attempted to approach the coast of Venezuela despite the US blockade. The US Coast Guard tried to stop the tanker, but the crew (citizens of russia, Ukraine, and India) refused to comply with the Coast Guard's demands and abruptly changed course. The crew painted the flags of the russian federation on the ship's hull, and a few days later, the tanker was renamed from Bella 1 to Marinera and registered in the russian maritime register. From December 15, 2025, the ship spent two weeks trying to evade US Coast Guard control in the Atlantic Ocean. The russian Navy attempted to escort the tanker, including with the participation of a submarine, but on January 7, 2026, US Coast Guard forces in the North Atlantic (south of Iceland) boarded the tanker and took control of it in international waters.

The tanker, during the period of the oil embargo and price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products. The vessel is also involved in the transportation of iranian crude oil/petroleum products.
On March 26, 2024, the US imposed sanctions on the tanker as part of restrictions on a network of companies and vessels used by Sa'id al-Jamal, an Iranian financial intermediary for the Houthis (Houthi) supported by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force (IRGC-QF).
Many tankers involved in transporting Iranian oil to countries such as China are involved in Venezuelan trade, including tanker IMO 9185530. 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 foreign (non-Iranian) flags are also involved in this trade.

The tanker was involved in the transportation of Iranian crude oil/petroleum products, in particular to Syria and China. The vessel is linked to a network smuggling Iranian crude oil, which was financed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Hezbollah. The network was coordinated by Viktor Artemov (under US sanctions since November 2022).
On November 3, 2022, the US imposed sanctions on the tanker.
The vessel is also part of a large-scale shadow oil trading scheme between Venezuela and Cuba.
On December 10, 2025, the US Coast Guard boarded and arrested the tanker IMO 9304667 as it was sailing in international waters after departing from Venezuela. The tanker left the Venezuelan port on December 4, 2025, with 2 million barrels of oil from Venezuela's state oil company, known as PDVSA, on board. The ship's destination was listed as the Cuban port of Matanzas. Two days after departure, tanker IMO 9304667 transferred approximately 50,000 barrels to vessel IMO 9198666, which then headed towards Cuba, while tanker IMO 9304667 headed east towards Asia. It is likely that most of its cargo was intended for sale to the PRC. Most of the 30-member crew of the ship IMO 9304667 were russian citizens.
The seizure of the vessel IMO 9304667 was carried out by the Internal Security Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation after the US Coast Guard boarded the tanker.
On December 12, 2025, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia obtained a warrant for the arrest of the vessel IMO 9304667.