Marine vessels

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo on russian oil, the tanker is involved in the export of russian oil/oil products from the russian port of Primorsk in the Baltic Sea to third countries. The vessel is certified by Bureau Veritas (IACS). 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, together with Gaurik Ship Management LLP, Galena Ship Management, Plutos Ship Management, Geras Ship Management, Girik Ship Management, Orion Ship Management LLP, 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 Caishan Ship Management were the previous managers of the tanker. Tankers operated/managed by India's Gatik Ship Management continue to be used by related companies and call at russian ports. As sanctions are being imposed, russia uses a scheme of "juggling" ships between related companies to conceal oil exports outside the price cap and other restrictions, as well as to hide the real owners of ships, and to ensure unimpeded transportation of fossil fuels by a 'shadow' fleet of obsolete oil tankers, creates new companies for these purposes (in the UAE, Hong Kong, India, Turkey, Mauritius, Seychelles, and other jurisdictions) with non-transparent organizational and ownership structures. In order to implement this scheme, technical/commercial management and ship owners are constantly changing, and vessels are renamed with a change of flag, MMSI, call-sign, including for sanctioned vessels. Shadow fleet vessels operate under “convenient flags”, which allows them to conceal their true origin and avoid control by international organizations and insurance companies. Almost all vessels that are involved in the transportation of russian oil by the shadow fleet since 2022 have been certified by the Indian regulator Indian Register of Shipping (IACS). The certification of shadow fleet vessels allows the shipowner/operator to insure the vessels, which, in turn, allows the vessels to enter ports and pass through various specific sea routes (straits, canals, etc.). The 'shadow' fleet, transporting huge volumes of crude oil through heavily trafficked routes through narrow straits close to the coastline, without proper P&I insurance, with automatic identification systems disabled, threatens an environmental disaster with significant economic costs to be borne by the affected coastal countries and/or the international community. The recent incidents off Malaysia only underscore the need for swift action to curb the potentially devastating impact of the growing 'shadow fleet'. 'Shadow' tankers have already been involved in 50 incidents from the Danish Straits all the way to Malaysia since russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. According to CREA, from January to August 2024, the number of shadow tankers crossing the Danish Straits in Europe increased by 277% compared to the same period in 2022, with 64% of the 46 million tons of russian marine oil transported through the Danish Straits being transported by shadow tankers. In the same period, the number of shadow tankers in the Straits of Dover and Gibraltar increased by 355% compared to 2022, transporting 67% of the 37 million tons of oil through the straits. The Suez Canal experienced a staggering 649% increase in shadow tanker traffic, with 69% of the 52 million tons of russian crude oil passing through it being transported by these vessels. Oil exports from russia are the most important source of income for the regime of the aggressor country to finance the war against Ukraine. From February 2022 to November 22, 2024, russia earned almost 546 billion euros in revenues from oil exports (69% of all revenues from fossil fuel exports). In 2023, about a third of all tax revenues in russia came from the sale of oil and gas. The tax on oil production collected by the russian federation in 2023 amounted to 8.9 trillion rubles, or 31% of total federal revenues. According to the CREA data for October 2024, russia's revenues from crude oil exported by sea amounted to 210 million euros per day, 83% of the total volume of russian marine crude oil was transported by “shadow” tankers, while tankers owned or insured in countries that impose price restrictions accounted for 17% of the total value of russian oil exported in October. 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.

During the period of the G7+ oil embargo, the tanker is involved in the export of russian oil/oil products from russian ports in the Baltic, Black Seas, and the Pacific region, mainly to China, India, and Turkey. The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of the shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment. On December 17, 2024, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on a vessel in connection with the transportation of oil or oil products originating in russia or from russia to a third country. On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.

During the period of the G7+ oil embargo and the price cap on russian oil, the tanker is involved in the export of russian oil/oil products from russian ports in the Black and Baltic Seas to third countries. On December 16, 2024, the EU imposed sanctions on the tanker (effective from December 17, 2024) due to the transportation of crude oil or petroleum products originating in or exported from russia, using irregular high-risk shipping practices as set out in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly Resolution A.1192(33). On December 23, 2024, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel in connection with the transportation of crude oil or petroleum products originating in or exported from russia, using irregular and risky shipping practices, as set out in the resolution of the General Assembly of the International Maritime Organization A.1192(33).

The tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil to third countries from russian ports in the Black and Baltic Seas, including with AIS disabled, was involved in the transportation of Venezuelan oil and switched to the transportation of sanctioned russian oil. The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of a shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world through the Baltic Sea, the Cadet Canal area in the Bay of Mecklenburg and threatening the environment. The tanker is flagged by Cameroon, which is included in the Paris MOU on the blacklist of flags, which is formed based on the results of inspections of the technical condition of ships. According to the Lloyds List analytical center, the tanker is an example of high-risk, dark and fraudulent activities related to fraudulent actions of technical management companies that led to the assignment of unique numbers by the International Maritime Organization. In this regard, an intersessional working group was established by the IMO Legal Committee to determine the levels of due diligence required for the use of the unique company owner identification number scheme and IMO registered owners.

During the period of the G7+ oil embargo and the price cap on russian oil, the tanker is involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports, in particular, in the Baltic Sea, to third countries. The vessel, through related companies, in particular Fornax Ship Management, the sanctioned companies Oil Tankers SCF MGMT FZCO, Sun Ship Management, SCF Management Services Cyprus, affiliated with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia, a key company for servicing and supporting offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian oil, petroleum products, liquefied natural gas amidst the application of sanctions restrictions to the russian federation after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The services provided by Sovcomflot are a significant source of income for russia, as more than 70% of russia's revenues come from the sale of energy, which allows it to finance its war against Ukraine. The main charterers of Sovcomflot vessels are the largest oil and gas companies and traders in russia. Sovcomflot is involved in servicing major oil and gas projects in russia: 'Sakhalin-1', 'Sakhalin-2', 'Varandey', 'Prirazlomnoye', 'Novy Port', 'Yamal LNG' and others. Prior to russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the company's fleet consisted of about 145 vessels. After the sanctions were imposed, Sovcomflot transferred dozens of vessels to the ownership of companies it had set up, including in foreign jurisdictions, in order to circumvent them, and began the practice of constantly 'juggling' (transferring) vessels to related companies. According to expert estimates, the tankers 'transferred' by Sovcomflot to related companies are part of the so-called 'shadow tanker fleet' of the russian federation to continue selling russian oil, oil products, and liquefied gas under western sanctions. On December 16, 2024, the EU imposed sanctions on the vessel (effective December 17, 2024). On December 23, 2024, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel. On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker, during the period of the G7+ oil embargo and the price cap on russian oil, is involved in the transportation of russian oil from russian ports in the Black and Baltic Seas to third countries, and resorts to manipulating AIS, conducting dark activities in the Black Sea, in particular in the Kerch Strait, when AIS shows the location of the vessel at the Moscow airport. 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.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports in the Black and Baltic Seas, mainly to India. The vessel is owned by russia's sanctioned Rosneft. On December 16, 2024, the EU imposed sanctions on the vessel (effective December 17, 2024) in relation to contributing to, supporting actions or policies aimed at the exploitation, development or expansion of the energy sector in russia, including energy infrastructure. On December 23, 2024, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel in connection with promoting, supporting actions or policies aimed at the exploitation, development or expansion of the energy sector in russia, including energy infrastructure. On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.

During the period of the G7+ oil embargo and the price cap on russian oil, the tanker is involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports, in particular, in the Baltic and Black Seas, to third countries. The vessel is certified by the Indian Register of Shipping (IACS). The vessel through related companies, in particular Fornax Ship Management, sanctioned companies Oil Tankers SCF MGMT FZCO, Sun Ship Management, is affiliated with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia, a key company for servicing and supporting offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian oil, petroleum products, liquefied natural gas amidst the application of sanctions restrictions to the russian federation after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The services provided by Sovcomflot are a significant source of income for russia, as more than 70% of russia's revenues come from the sale of energy, which allows it to finance its war against Ukraine. The main charterers of Sovcomflot vessels are the largest oil and gas companies and traders in russia. Sovcomflot is involved in servicing major oil and gas projects in russia: 'Sakhalin-1', 'Sakhalin-2', 'Varandey', 'Prirazlomnoye', 'Novy Port', 'Yamal LNG' and others. Prior to russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the company's fleet consisted of about 145 vessels. After the sanctions were imposed, Sovcomflot transferred dozens of vessels to the ownership of companies it had set up, including in foreign jurisdictions, in order to circumvent them, and began the practice of constantly 'juggling' (transferring) vessels to related companies. According to expert estimates, the tankers 'transferred' by Sovcomflot to related companies are part of the so-called 'shadow tanker fleet' of the russian federation to continue selling russian oil, oil products, and liquefied gas under western sanctions. On December 16, 2024, the EU imposed sanctions on the vessel (effective December 17, 2024). On December 23, 2024, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel.

During the period of the G7+ oil embargo and the russian oil price ceiling, the tanker is involved in the export of russian oil from russian facilities, in particular, in the Baltic Sea to third countries. The vessel, through its related companies, including Fornax Ship Management, the sanctioned companies Oil Tankers SCF MGMT FZCO, Sun Ship Management, SCF Management Services Cyprus, is affiliated with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia, a key company for servicing and supporting offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian oil, petroleum products, liquefied natural gas amidst the application of sanctions restrictions to the russian federation after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The services provided by Sovcomflot are a significant source of income for russia, as more than 70% of russia's revenues come from the sale of energy, which allows it to finance its war against Ukraine. The main charterers of Sovcomflot vessels are the largest oil and gas companies and traders in russia. Sovcomflot is involved in servicing major oil and gas projects in russia: 'Sakhalin-1', 'Sakhalin-2', 'Varandey', 'Prirazlomnoye', 'Novy Port', 'Yamal LNG' and others. Prior to russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the company's fleet consisted of about 145 vessels. After the sanctions were imposed, Sovcomflot transferred dozens of vessels to the ownership of companies it had set up, including in foreign jurisdictions, in order to circumvent them, and began the practice of constantly 'juggling' (transferring) vessels to related companies. According to expert estimates, the tankers 'transferred' by Sovcomflot to related companies are part of the so-called 'shadow tanker fleet' of the russian federation to continue selling russian oil, oil products, and liquefied gas under western sanctions. On December 16, 2024, the EU imposed sanctions on the vessel (effective December 17, 2024). On December 23, 2024, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel. On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports in the Baltic Sea, mainly to India. The new generation Arfamax LNG tanker, built in 2022, is part of the fleet of the sanctioned russian state-owned shipping company Sovcomflot (SCF Group). The vessel has a carrying capacity of 112,650 tons and was built at the sanctioned russian shipbuilding complex Zvezda in Primorsky Krai with funds from the sanctioned russian state development corporation VEB.rf. The ice-class 1A/1B tanker is 250 m long and 44 m wide and is capable of year-round transportation of oil from areas with difficult ice conditions, including ports in the russian Far East and Baltic basin. The vessel is believed to be chartered by Rosneft under a long-term agreement. On December 16, 2024, the EU imposed sanctions on the tanker (effective from December 17, 2024) due to the transportation of crude oil or petroleum products originating in or exported from russia, using irregular high-risk shipping practices as set out in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly Resolution A.1192(33). On December 23, 2024, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel in connection with the transportation of crude oil or petroleum products originating in or exported from russia, using irregular and risky shipping practices, as set out in the resolution of the General Assembly of the International Maritime Organization A.1192(33). On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is involved in the transportation of russian oil/oil products from russian ports in the Baltic Sea to third countries, deceptive shipping practices, including conducting dark activities in the Baltic Sea near the russian port of Ust-Luga, is used by russia as a spy platform aimed at monitoring NATO naval and air activities, and is involved in sabotage activities in the Baltic Sea. On December 26, 2024, the tanker was detained by an authorized Finnish authority. The vessel is suspected of anchoring the Estlink 2 submarine cable on December 25, 2024. The National Bureau of Investigation of Finland is conducting criminal proceedings on suspicion of committing an aggravated crime. According to the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation, the Eagle S was dragging its anchor along the seabed in the area where the Estlink 2 submarine cable was damaged. After the vessel was detained, it was discovered that the tanker had no anchor. On January 07, 2025, the anchor was raised by the Swedish ship HMS Belos. According to the Finnish transport and communications agency Traficom, the tanker Eagle S is unseaworthy - after state port control, 32 faults were found on the vessel, three of which were critical: fire safety violations, malfunctioning navigation equipment and ventilation problems in the pump room. According to the British publication Lloyd's List, in a series of confidential documents about the Eagle S obtained in June 2024, the Eagle S and the related sanctioned tanker Swiftsea Rider (IMO 9318539) 'were equipped with listening and receiving devices to monitor NATO naval vessels and aircraft'. The spy equipment was installed on board the Eagle S in large portable suitcases (including laptops with keyboards in russian and Turkish to make calls to Turkey and russia) and was used to monitor radio frequencies, record NATO messages and transmit the collected data to the russian authorities. Similar systems were present on the Swiftsea Rider tanker. According to the Lloyd's List source, the equipment was stored on the bridge or on the 'monkey island' (the highest place on the ship), operated by russian, Turkish, and Indian officers, and the devices were unloaded for analysis upon arrival in russia. Also, according to a Lloyd's List source, an unauthorized person was identified on board the Eagle S who was not a member of the ship's crew. The Eagle S and Swiftsea Rider tankers are linked to the same shadowy network created in the interests of the sanctioned russian Lukoil, when, in the face of sanctions on russian oil, more than 20 tankers were purchased in 2022-2023 and transferred under bareboat charter to Eiger Shipping by the shipping division of the russian oil trader Litasco, affiliated with Lukoil. According to the Financial Times investigation, the purchased tankers were transferred under the Cook Islands flag and under the management of sanctioned Dubai companies - Radiating World Shipping (16 vessels) and Star Voyages Shipping Services (6 vessels). According to the British publication Lloyd's List, the tanker Eagle S is one of dozens of shadow tankers involved in the russian oil/oil products trade, and is affiliated with the Indian company Peninsular Maritime India PVT, which is affiliated with two sanctioned companies Radiating World Shipping Services (UAE) and Star Voyages Shipping Services (UAE). Radiating World Shipping Services (UAE) and Star Voyages Shipping Services (UAE) are considered to be the leading shadow fleet operators that played a key role in the export of russian oil/oil products under sanctions in 2022-2023. After the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on Radiating World Shipping Services (UAE) and Star Voyages Shipping Services (UAE) in December 2023, the companies ceased operations and transferred their fleets to related companies, including Peninsular Maritime India. Despite the fact that the shipowner and commercial manager of the tanker Eagle S is Caravella LLC-FZ, based in the UAE, the ISM manager of the vessel is the Indian company Peninsular Maritime India PVT, according to the website of the Indian company Uniocean Marine Services, the Eagle S belonged to its fleet, but after Finland arrested the tanker for damaging the Estlink 2 submarine cable, information about the Eagle S in the Uniocean Marine Services fleet was removed from the company's website. At the same time, the website states that the company's fleet includes a number of sanctioned tankers affiliated with the sanctioned shadow fleet operators Radiating World Shipping Services (UAE) and Star Voyages Shipping Services (UAE).

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap on russian oil, the tanker is involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports, in particular in the Baltic and Black Seas, mainly to India. On September 30, 2024, the Houthis, mistaking the ship for a British vessel, attacked a tanker in the Red Sea with a UAV, which led to a fire on the ship. The outdated tanker, which was sailing from the Turkish port of Yalova to the russian port of Novorossiysk in the Black Sea, was involved in the blocking of the Bosphorus Strait due to engine failure near Cape Yenikey in late December 2024. The international public organization Greenpeace refers to the tanker as a shadowy fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment. The tanker is affiliated with the Indian company Margao Marine Solutions OPC, with which the sanctioned shadow tanker Apar (IMO 9402471, formerly Feng Shou, Andromeda Star) is affiliated.