KYLO

The tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Baltic Sea, transportation of sanctioned Iranian oil using deceptive, high-risk practices. The vessel was involved in numerous STS transfers of Iranian oil in 2022, and conducts dark activities at sea with AIS turned off.
According to the data of the United Against Nuclear Iran, the group that monitors Iran-related tanker traffic using satellite data, the vessel was involved in the transportation of Iranian oil and 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 now help russia transport russian crude/petroleum products.
On June 17, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker due to the transportation of crude oil/petroleum products of russian origin from russia to third countries.
On July 30, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the tanker as the property of the sanctioned shipping company Kylo Shipping Inc. which is involved in providing material assistance, financial, material, technological support, goods or services to the sanctioned Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani.
Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani is the son of Ali Shamkhani, the Chief Political Advisor to the Supreme Leader of Iran.
Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani uses corruption through his father's political influence at the highest levels of the Iranian regime to build and operate a huge fleet of tankers and container ships. This network transports oil and petroleum products from Iran and russia, as well as other cargoes, to buyers around the world, generating tens of billions of dollars in profits.
The Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani network consists of a huge fleet of ships, ship management firms and front companies that launder billions of dollars in profits from global sales of Iranian and Russian crude oil and petroleum products, most often to buyers in China. The network has taken significant steps to disguise its operations and obfuscate its ties to the Shamkhani family, Iran, and russia.