Marine vessels

The tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil from russian ports in the Baltic Sea and the Pacific region to China and India, conducting dark activities at sea with the AIS signal turned off, and violating the G7 and EU oil embargo on russian oil. In particular, in May 2023, the vessel exported russian oil from the russian port of Kavkaz in the Black Sea to the EU countries (to the Laconikos Gulf, Greece) in violation of the embargo. The vessel is certified by the Registro Italiano Navale (IACS). RLRISE Moldova, a community of investigative journalists, programmers and activists from the Republic of Moldova and Romania, and the international NGO Greenpeace refer to the tanker as a shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment. Tankers of the shadow fleet operated by Moldovan companies were 'transferred' to the management of Azerbaijani companies, in particular Nautilus Fleet Management LLC. Under the sanctions, russia has begun to build up its own shadow fleet of outdated tankers, which has no 'ties' with the G7 and the EU and can transport oil in violation of price caps. russia disguises its shadow activities at sea under the 'convenient' flags of third countries, operates at sea without proper insurance from the international club of insurers, uses complex schemes to conceal the owners of the shadow fleet, uses various deceptive tactics to conceal the origin of its cargo, creates threats to environmental safety with large-scale economic costs for coastal countries due to the growing threat of oil spills, does not use pilots to navigate difficult areas, etc. russia's 'shadow fleet' continues to provide 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threats with significant economic costs to coastal countries and/or the international community due to the outdated and inadequate insurance of shadow fleet tankers. On November 25, 2024, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on a tanker in connection with the transportation of russian oil/oil products from the russian federation to a third country as part of the restrictions on the russian shadow fleet. On February 21, 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel. From July 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions on a tanker for transporting crude oil/petroleum products that originate in russia or are exported from russia using irregular and high-risk shipping practices as set out in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly resolution A.1192 (33). On August 12, 2025, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel.

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 russian oil from ports in the Baltic, Black seas, and the Pacific region, mainly to China. The tanker resorts to deceptive tactics at sea (changing identifiers or manipulating its location), conducting dark activities at sea with the AIS signal turned off near the russian port of Taman (russia), Iran, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Vietnam. The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of a shadowy fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment. According to the data of 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 oil since April 2022. Since the beginning of russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, more than 100 vessels that previously helped Tehran export Iranian export oil are now helping russia transport russian oil/oil products. The tanker is linked to an attempt to supply sanctioned Iranian oil to the EU (Croatia) in 2022, obtained through ship-to-ship transshipment near Malaysian waters. On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel. From July 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions on a tanker for transporting crude oil/petroleum products that originate in russia or are exported from russia using irregular and high-risk shipping practices as set out in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly resolution A.1192 (33). On August 12, 2025, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products to third countries, including the use of deceptive practices (disabling AIS, conducting dark activities in the Gulf of Finland, the russian ports of Novorossiysk and Baltiysk). According to the United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), the vessel was involved in the transportation of Iranian oil and since May 2022 has switched to the transportation of russian oil. Since the beginning of russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, more than 100 vessels that previously helped Tehran export Iranian export oil are now helping russia transport russian crude oil/petroleum products. On May 09, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker as part of the introduction of restrictions on the shadow fleet of the russian federation, including for engaging in activities whose purpose or effect is to destabilize Ukraine, undermine/threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine or to benefit from or support the russian government, or to participate in the transportation of crude oil/petroleum products of russian origin, in particular from russia to a third country. In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel. From July 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions on a tanker for transporting crude oil/petroleum products that originate in russia or are exported from russia using irregular and high-risk shipping practices as set out in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly resolution A.1192 (33). On August 12, 2025, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker, during the period of the G7+ oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Baltic Sea and the Pacific region, and uses high-risk, deceptive practices (disabling AIS, STS transmissions). In particular, in November 2024, near Malaysia, a tanker, having left the port of Kozmino on September 25, 2024, made an STS transmission with the tanker IMO 9313149 of the VLCC type, which was sanctioned by USA on January 10, 2025. 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 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. On May 09, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker as part of the restrictions on the russian shadow fleet. In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel. From July 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions on a tanker for transporting crude oil/petroleum products that originate in russia or are exported from russia using irregular and high-risk shipping practices as set out in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly resolution A.1192 (33). According to the database of the Global Integrated Shipping Information System of the International Maritime Organization (IMO's GISIS), as of July 22, 2025, the vessel's registered name is THEMIS, flag is unknown. At the same time, the vessel sails under the name NAYARA, the flag of Palau. On August 12, 2025, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker, during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo, the price-cap policy on ussian oil, has been involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports in the Baltic Sea to third countries since March 2023. The vessel is involved in the transportation of Venezuelan oil. In early December 2023, the tanker LIBERTY (the former name of the tanker) under the flag of Cameroon ran aground in the Strait of Malacca, which forced the Singaporean authorities to send 5 tugboats to the scene and prepare for an oil spill. In June 2023, the vessel entered the port of Ust-Luga, after which it was recorded with geometric circles off the coast of Angola in August-October. This location was previously associated with the Venezuelan dark fleet trade, in which tankers give out their location in Angola to disguise their real operations in Latin America. The vessel then sailed into the Indian Ocean via the Cape of Good Hope and arrived in Singapore in late November 2023, where it ran aground on December 2. Satellite research conducted by TankerTrackers.com claims that the LIBERTY was loaded with almost a million barrels of Venezuelan fuel oil. After the incident, the vessel changed its name from LIBERTY to VERNAL and the vessel's management. The Maritime Executive noted that Cameroon had become a 'shelter' for a shadow fleet, including those involved in the transportation of sanctioned russian oil. Vessels registered under the Cameroon flag have been linked to other oil smuggling operations, including in Iran and Venezuela. The international public organization Greenpeace refers to the tanker as a shadow fleet of tankers that transport russian oil around the world and threaten the environment. From July 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions on a tanker for transporting crude oil/petroleum products that originate in russia or are exported from russia using irregular and high-risk shipping practices as set out in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly resolution A.1192 (33). On August 12, 2025, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas, mainly to India, Turkey, and other third countries, and uses the practice of disabling AIS in the Black Sea near Kherson region, TOT Crimea of Ukraine. On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel. From July 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions on a tanker for transporting crude oil/petroleum products that originate in russia or are exported from russia using irregular and high-risk shipping practices as set out in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly resolution A.1192 (33). According to the database of the Global Integrated Shipping Information System of the International Maritime Organization (IMO's GISIS), as of July 21, 2025, the vessel's registered name is VIRAT, flag of Barbados. At the same time, the vessel sails under the flag of the Comoros. On August 12, 2025, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker during the period of the G7+ oil embargo, the price cap policy on russian crude oil/oil products involved in the export of russian crude oil/oil products from russian ports in the Baltic, Black Seas, and Pacific region, resorts to conducting dark activities with the disabling of AIS near the russian port of Ust-Luga. The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of a shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian crude around the world and threatening the environment. The tanker is 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 under Western sanctions, and the company Caishan Ship Management, which is affiliated with Gatik, which in 2023, along with Gaurik Ship Management, Galena Ship Management, Plutos Ship Management, Geras Ship Management, Girik Ship Management, Orion Ship Management, Nautilus Shipping, Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment, Zidan Ship Management, was involved in a scheme to "juggle" vessels operated by Gatik Ship Management to avoid sanctions. Gatik Ship Management and Caishan Ship Management were the previous managers of the tanker. Tankers operated/managed by the Indian Gatik Ship Management continue to be used by related companies and call at russian ports. On May 09, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker as part of the restrictions on the shadow fleet of the russian federation, including for engaging in activities aimed at destabilizing Ukraine, undermining/threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine or benefiting from or supporting the government of russia, and participating in the transportation of crude oil/petroleum products of russian origin, in particular, from russia to a third country. In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel. From July 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions on a tanker for transporting crude oil/petroleum products that originate in russia or are exported from russia using irregular and high-risk shipping practices as set out in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly resolution A.1192 (33). On August 12, 2025, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker has been involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports in the Baltic Sea to third countries since July 2023, in violation of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price-cap policy on russian oil. In particular, the vessel is involved in STS transfers of russian oil to the vessel LIGERA in the Laconikos Gulf (Greece). According to Kpler, on January 09, 2024, the LIGERA was recorded by the MarineTraffic ship spotter off the coast of Crete in ballast with a draft of 11.3 m. On January 10, 2024, the tanker sailed to the Laconian Gulf, where it made an STS transfer on the same day, receiving URALS oil from the NAUTILUS (IMO 9434890). According to Kpler, NAUTILUS was loaded with 729 thousand barrels of Urals oil from the port of Ust-Luga. The LIGERA, loaded with russian oil, concealed information about the change in the ship's draft and headed to Venezuela, where an STS transfer of oil to the MORNING SUN (IMO 9110183) was detected between February 28 and March 1, 2024, which delivered 600 thousand barrels of russian oil to the Cardon refinery in Venezuela on March 02, 2024. The tanker is affiliated with Adel Ship Management SRL (Moldova), which manages tankers that help russia transport crude oil under western sanctions. Adel Ship Management SRL is considered one of the largest carriers of russian crude oil, in particular, in the first half of 2024, the Moldovan company shipped 2.6 million barrels of oil, which is approximately 2% of total russian exports. RLRISE Moldova, a community of investigative journalists, programmers, and activists from the Republic of Moldova and Romania, attributes the tanker to the shadow fleet involved in russian oil exports. On May 20, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker as part of the restrictions on the shadow fleet of the russian federation, including for engaging in activities aimed at destabilizing Ukraine, undermining/threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine or benefiting from or supporting the government of russia, and participating in the transportation of crude oil/petroleum products of russian origin, in particular, from russia to a third country. From July 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions on a tanker for transporting crude oil/petroleum products that originate in russia or are exported from russia using irregular and high-risk shipping practices as set out in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly resolution A.1192 (33). On August 12, 2025, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker during the period of the G7+ oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products mainly from russian ports in the Baltic Sea to India. Within the framework of restrictions on the russian shadow fleet, United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker on February 24, 2025. On April 11, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of vessel IMO 9388766. In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel. In June 2025, Australia imposed sanctions on the vessel. From July 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions on a tanker for transporting crude oil/petroleum products that originate in russia or are exported from russia using irregular and high-risk shipping practices as set out in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly resolution A.1192 (33). On August 12, 2025, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel.

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 is engaged in dark activities, in particular, in the area of the russian port of Ust-Luga. The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of a shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian crude around the world and threatening the environment. The tanker is affiliated with Orion Ship Management LLP, an Indian company, affiliated with Gatik Ship Management, one of the leading operators of the so-called "shadow" fleet involved in the transportation of russian crude oil/oil products in 2022-2023 under Western sanctions. In 2023, Orion Ship Management LLP, together with Gaurik Ship Management LLP, Caishan Ship Management, Plutos Ship Management, Geras Ship Management, Girik Ship Management, Galena Ship Management, Nautilus Shipping, Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagement LLC, Zidan Ship Management, was involved in a scheme to "juggle" vessels operated by Gatik Ship Management to avoid sanctions. On May 09, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker as part of the restrictions on the shadow fleet of the russian federation, including for engaging in activities aimed at destabilizing Ukraine, undermining/threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine or benefiting from or supporting the government of russia, and participating in the transportation of crude oil/petroleum products of russian origin, in particular, from russia to a third country. In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel. From July 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions on a tanker for transporting crude oil/petroleum products that originate in russia or are exported from russia using irregular and high-risk shipping practices as set out in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly resolution A.1192 (33). On August 12, 2025, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel.

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo on russian oil, the tanker is involved in exporting russian oil to India and China from russian ports in the Baltic, Black seas and the Pacific region, and conducting dark activities at sea with the AIS signal turned off. The vessel is certified by the Indian Register of Shipping (IACS). The international non-governmental organization Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of the shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment. The tanker is 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 under Western sanctions, and the company Orion Ship Management LLP, which is affiliated with Gatik, which in 2023, together with Gaurik Ship Management LLP, Caishan Ship Management, Plutos Ship Management, Geras Ship Management, Girik Ship Management, Galena Ship Management, Nautilus Shipping (India), Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment LLC, Zidan Ship Management, was involved in a scheme to 'juggle' vessels operated by Gatik Ship Management to avoid sanctions. Gatik Ship Management and Orion Ship Management LLP were the previous managers of the tanker. Tankers operated/managed by the Indian Gatik Ship Management continue to be used by related companies and call at russian ports. On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel. From July 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions on a tanker for transporting crude oil/petroleum products that originate in russia or are exported from russia using irregular and high-risk shipping practices as set out in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly resolution A.1192 (33). On August 12, 2025, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is involved in the export of sanctioned russian oil from russian ports in the Baltic Sea to India and other third countries, including with the AIS turned off. The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of a shadow fleet of tankers that transport russian oil around the world through the Baltic Sea, the Kadetsky Canal area in the Bay of Mecklenburg and threaten the environment. Since June 2023, the Arfamax has been owned by an unknown company, Eastern Shipping Inc (Seychelles), whose fleet consists only of the tanker KIRA K, before that the vessel belonged to a Greek company. The vessel is certified by the China Classification Society (IACS). According to the Lloyds List analytical center, the tanker is often used for STS transmissions. On February 24, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel. In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel. In June 2025, Australia imposed sanctions on the vessel. From July 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions on a tanker for transporting crude oil/petroleum products that originate in russia or are exported from russia using irregular and high-risk shipping practices as set out in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly resolution A.1192 (33). On August 12, 2025, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel.