VASILY DINKOV

The lead vessel of a series of Panamax shuttle tankers of enhanced ice class designed for sea transportation of oil from Arctic fields without icebreaker escort. It was built to transport oil from the Varandey terminal in the Pechora Sea to the port of Murmansk. The vessel also makes calls to the Prirazlomnoye platform in the Pechora Sea. The development of the Prirazlomnoye Arctic offshore oil field is carried out by sanctioned Gazprom Neft Shelf LLC (a 100% subsidiary of Gazprom Neft), which is the center for managing Gazprom Neft's offshore projects.
The vessel is operated by the shipping company of the sanctioned russian PJSC Sovcomflot. Sovcomflot is the largest state-owned shipping company in russia that services and supports offshore hydrocarbon production and transportation of russian crude oil, oil products, and liquefied gas. The main charterers of PJSC Sovcomflot's vessels are russia's largest oil and gas companies and traders. PJSC Sovcomflot is involved in servicing major oil and gas projects in russia: Sakhalin-1, Sakhalin-2, Varandey, Prirazlomnoye, Novy Port, Yamal LNG and others.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel as property in which the sanctioned russian Sovcomflot has an interest.