ION
IMO 9183271
Updated: 24.12.2024
Vessel name (international according to IMO)
ION
Category
Transportation of fossil fuels
Transporting russian oil in violation of other restrictions
Transportation of Iranian oil
Vessel Type
Crude Oil Tanker
IMO
9183271
MMSI
Call sign
Flag (Current)
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Sanctions
The person in connection with whom sanctions have been applied
Provide additional information
Justification
Vessel information
The tanker is involved in the transportation of Iranian oil, export of russian oil from russian ports in the Baltic Sea, the Pacific Ocean region to third countries, and deceptive practices, including AIS manipulation/spoofing.
The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of a shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian crude oil around the world through the Baltic Sea, the Kadetsky Canal area in the Mecklenburg Bay, and threatening the environment.
According to the American human rights group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), which monitors Iran-related tanker traffic using satellite data, the vessel was involved in the transportation of Iranian oil. According to UANI, the tanker was engaged in AIS signal spoofing while loading crude oil from Sirri Island (Iran) in August 2021, as well as MMSI spoofing by posing as another vessel while unloading Iranian oil in Banias (Syria) in September 2021. In particular, during the offloading of Iranian oil in Banias (Syria) in September 2021, according to AIS data, the vessel was anchored west of the Cyprus STS transmission zone, while sending AIS messages from Spain at 36.179, 5.926.
Since the beginning of russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, more than 90 vessels that previously helped Tehran export Iranian export oil are now helping russia transport russian crude oil/oil products. In May 2022, UANI first predicted that russia would turn to the 'ghost armada' to ensure oil flows to its Chinese partner.
UANI also included the tanker in the list of tankers of the Maduro-Khamenei Oil Alliance involved in the transportation of Iranian and Venezuelan oil. On June 11, 2022, Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi signed a 20-year cooperation agreement to expand ties in the oil and petrochemical industries, military and economic spheres. Since then, bilateral ties have been developing: in 2023, Iran supplied more than 12 million barrels of crude oil and gas condensate, and Venezuela supplied about the same amount of fuel oil to Iran in return. Most of the cargo is transported by vessels of the sanctioned National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) in both directions: Iranian oil and gas are unloaded in Venezuelan ports, and the same NITC tankers load Venezuelan fuel oil on the way back to China. A significant number of non-NITC vessels flying foreign (not Iranian) flags are also involved in the trade.
The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of a shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian crude oil around the world through the Baltic Sea, the Kadetsky Canal area in the Mecklenburg Bay, and threatening the environment.
According to the American human rights group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), which monitors Iran-related tanker traffic using satellite data, the vessel was involved in the transportation of Iranian oil. According to UANI, the tanker was engaged in AIS signal spoofing while loading crude oil from Sirri Island (Iran) in August 2021, as well as MMSI spoofing by posing as another vessel while unloading Iranian oil in Banias (Syria) in September 2021. In particular, during the offloading of Iranian oil in Banias (Syria) in September 2021, according to AIS data, the vessel was anchored west of the Cyprus STS transmission zone, while sending AIS messages from Spain at 36.179, 5.926.
Since the beginning of russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, more than 90 vessels that previously helped Tehran export Iranian export oil are now helping russia transport russian crude oil/oil products. In May 2022, UANI first predicted that russia would turn to the 'ghost armada' to ensure oil flows to its Chinese partner.
UANI also included the tanker in the list of tankers of the Maduro-Khamenei Oil Alliance involved in the transportation of Iranian and Venezuelan oil. On June 11, 2022, Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi signed a 20-year cooperation agreement to expand ties in the oil and petrochemical industries, military and economic spheres. Since then, bilateral ties have been developing: in 2023, Iran supplied more than 12 million barrels of crude oil and gas condensate, and Venezuela supplied about the same amount of fuel oil to Iran in return. Most of the cargo is transported by vessels of the sanctioned National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) in both directions: Iranian oil and gas are unloaded in Venezuelan ports, and the same NITC tankers load Venezuelan fuel oil on the way back to China. A significant number of non-NITC vessels flying foreign (not Iranian) flags are also involved in the trade.
Cases of AIS shutdown
Yes
Calling at russian ports
Yes
Visited ports
Mundra (India), Tanjung Pelepas (Malaysia), Zhoushan (PRC), Zhuhai (PRC), Port Said (Egypt), Ust-Luga (russia), Sadat (Egypt), Kozmino (russia), Dongjiakou (PRC), Khor al Fakkan (UAE), Primorsk (russia), Vene-Balti (Estonia), Gibraltar (Gibraltar), Sohar (Oman), Safaga (Egypt), Fortaleza (Brazil), Sungai Linggi (Malaysia)
Available additional information
Shipowner (IMO / Country / Date)
Shore Shipping Inc (6404317 / Singapore / 18.08.2024)
Commercial ship manager (IMO / Country / Date)
Shore Shipping Inc (6404317 / Singapore / 18.08.2024)
Ship Safety Management Manager (IMO / Country / Date)
Unknown (19.08.2024)
Former ship names
Iona / Calypso / Ataul / Ataulfo Alves / Front Archer / Mega Eagle
Flags (former)
Cameroon / Bahamas / Liberia / Norway
Build year
2000
Builder (country)
Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd (South Korea)
Web Resources