Marine vessels

During the period of the G7+ oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, the tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas, conducting deceptive, high-risk practices, including conducting dark activities with AIS disabled near the russian port of Ust-Luga. The tanker is affiliated with Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE, under UK sanctions for its involvement in servicing the energy sector of the russian economy). Fractal Marine DMCC is considered to be one of the leading operators of the so-called shadow fleet involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products under Western sanctions in 2022-2023. The shipping company Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE) was established shortly before the G7 countries introduced a price-cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products and played a significant role in the transportation of russian crude oil/petroleum products under sanctions restrictions. The tanker is also affiliated with the sanctioned company Oceanlink Maritime DMCC (UAE), which was the commercial manager of the tanker from December 2023 to June 2024. Oceanlink Maritime DMCC is affiliated with the sanctioned fleet of 10 vessels (LNG tankers, crude oil tankers, oil product tankers) and was involved in the transportation of Iranian commodities on behalf of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces (AFGS) and the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL). The tanker is also affiliated with Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ (UAE), which was the ISM manager of the tanker in 2024. Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ managed 20 vessels affiliated with Fractal Marine DMCC. A vessel from the Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ fleet loaded with russian oil was involved in an incident in the Baltic Sea that threatened environmental safety. In particular, on January 10, 2025, the 19-year-old tanker IMO 9308065, the safety management of which was provided by Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ, loaded with russian oil (99 thousand tons) in the port of Ust-Luga, lost control in the Baltic Sea. According to the German Havariekommando, the vessel's power supply system and engine failed, the ship lost its ability to maneuver and began to drift at low speed in the open sea near the island of Rügen. This incident once again demonstrates the growing threat of oil spills by outdated shadow fleet vessels. Since 2023, the vessel's management has changed 4 times. As of April 2025, the owner of the tanker is Lasiglia Investment Inc (Marshall Islands), and the ship's safety is managed by Tarabya Logistics LTD (UAE), which also manages nine tankers (one of which is under sanctions) affiliated with Fractal Marine DMCC (IMO 9252955, IMO 9282481, IMO 9282493 (under EU sanctions), IMO 9282508, IMO 9332171, IMO 9379301, IMO 9387279, IMO 9390587, IMO 9413004), as well as the tanker IMO 9299707, affiliated with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia that provides services and support for offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian crude oil, petroleum products, liquefied natural gas, and is involved in servicing major oil and gas projects in russia: Sakhalin-1, Sakhalin-2, Varandey, Prirazlomnoye, Novy Port, Yamal LNG and others. After the change of management, the tanker continues to make calls to the russian port of Ust-Luga in the Baltic Sea, participating in servicing the energy sector of the russian economy, which is a significant source of funding for the military budget of the aggressor country.

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 Black Sea, and resorts to deceptive, high-risk practices, in particular, systematic shutdowns of AIS in the Kerch Strait area in the Black Sea, STS transmissions, in particular, in the Kerch Strait area in the Black Sea in February 2025 with the tanker IMO 9185530, which has been under USA sanctions since March 26, 2024 for the transportation of Iranian commodities to China, in November, December 2024, January 2025 in the Gulf of Laconikos with the tanker IMO 9402732 of VLCC class affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management, one of the leading operators of the shadow fleet involved in the transportation of russian crude oil/oil products under Western sanctions in 2022-2023. Since January 2023, the tanker has had three changes of management, flag country, and twice the name of the vessel. The tanker is affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management and the Gatik-related company Gaurik Ship Management LLP, which in 2023, together with Caishan Ship Management, Plutos Ship Management, Orion Ship Management LLP, 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 managed by Gatik Ship Management in order to avoid sanctions. Gatik Ship Management and Gaurik Ship Management LLP were the previous managers of the vessel. 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. On May 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions, which will enter into force on May 21, 2025, on the tanker for the transportation of crude oil/petroleum products originating in or exported from russia, using irregular high-risk shipping practices as specified in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly Resolution A.1192(33). On June 03, 2025, the sanctions imposed by Switzerland on the vessel came into force. In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel. According to GISIS IMO data, as of July 17, 2025, the vessel's flag is designated as "Malawi False".

During the period of the G7+ oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, the VLCC tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products, in particular, through STS transfers near European countries. In particular, the tanker carried out STS transmissions with the sanctioned tanker IMO 9419448 in July 2024 in the Gulf of Lakonikos (Greece), which left the russian port of Ust-Luga on June 23, 2024. There are also STS transmissions in the Laconikos Gulf (Greece) with the super tanker IMO 9402732, 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/petroleum products in 2022-2023 under Western sanctions. The super tanker IMO 9402732 carries out STS transmissions with tankers delivering russian crude oil/petroleum products, in particular from russian ports in the Black Sea. Earlier, there were STS transmissions in the Laconikos Gulf with the tanker IMO 9144782 of the shadow fleet built in 1997, which is also involved in the transportation of Iranian oil. 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 tanker during the period of the G7+ oil embargo, 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 and Black Seas, and carries out high-risk practices (STS transfers) in the Gulf of Lakonikos (Greece), in particular, with tankers affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management, one of the leading operators of the shadow fleet involved in the transportation of russian crude oil/oil products in 2022-2023 under Western sanctions. In August 2023, an STS transfer took place in the Gulf of Laconikos (Greece) with the tanker IMO 9402732 of the VLCC class, affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management, which during this period also carried out STS transfers, in particular, with the tanker IMO 9332834, affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management, IMO tanker 9332834 left the russian port of Ust-Luga on July 23, 2023 and arrived in the Gulf of Laconikos on August 09, 2023 (tanker IMO 9332834 has been under UK sanctions since February 24, 2025 for engaging in activities the purpose or effect of which is to destabilize Ukraine, undermine or 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/oil products of russian origin or from russia to a third country). In September 2024, an STS transmission took place with the tanker IMO 9252333 of the VLCC class in the Gulf of Lakonikos (Greece), which, in turn, carries out STS transmissions with tankers arriving in the Gulf of Lakonikos from russian ports, in particular, Ust-Luga. 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 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. On May 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions, which enter into force on May 21, 2025, on the tanker for the transportation of crude oil/petroleum products originating in or exported from russia, using irregular high-risk shipping practices as specified in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly Resolution A.1192(33). On June 03, 2025, the sanctions imposed by Switzerland on the vessel came into force. In June 2025, Canada 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, in particular, from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas, and is engaged in dark activities near the russian port of Ust-Luga in the Baltic Sea. The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of a shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment. The tanker is affiliated with Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE, under UK sanctions for its involvement in servicing the energy sector of the russian economy). Fractal Marine DMCC is considered to be one of the leading operators of the so-called shadow fleet involved in the export of russian crude oil/oil products under Western sanctions in 2022-2023. The shipping company Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE) was established shortly before the G7 countries introduced a price-cap policy on russian crude oil/oil products and played a significant role in the transportation of russian crude oil/oil products under sanctions. The tanker is also affiliated with Macario Shipping LLC (UAE), which fleet participated in the sanctioned trade. The vessel IMO 9282041 is part of a vast shipping empire controlled by Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, 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. Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani's network consists of a vast fleet of ships, ship management companies, and front companies, some of which pose as legitimate financial services companies, laundering billions in profits from worldwide sales of Iranian and russian crude oil and other petroleum products, most often to buyers in China. Though the network has gone to great lengths to disguise its operations and obfuscate its ties to the Shamkhani family, Iran, and Russia. Fractal Marine DMCC, with which the vessel IMO 9282041 is affiliated, is one of a number of companies that have played a significant role in the management and operation of the Shamkhani tanker fleet. On July 30, 2025, USA 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, in particular, from russian ports in the Baltic Sea. The tanker is affiliated with Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE, under United Kingdom sanctions for its involvement in servicing the energy sector of the russian economy). Fractal Marine DMCC is considered to be one of the leading operators of the so-called shadow fleet involved in the export of russian crude oil/oil products under Western sanctions in 2022-2023. The shipping company Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE) was established shortly before the G7 countries introduced a price-cap policy on russian crude oil/oil products and played a significant role in the transportation of russian crude oil/oil products under sanctions. After the sanctions were imposed on Fractal Marine DMCC, the company tried to appeal the sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom, but lost in court. After that, the company 're-signed' its fleet to other companies. Thus, the tankers previously managed by Fractal Marine DMCC were transferred to new management companies, in particular, Algae Ship Charter FZCO (UAE). The vessels managed by Algae Ship Charter FZCO continue to export russian crude oil/oil products from the russian ports of Primorsk and Ust-Luga in the Baltic Sea. The safety management of the tanker from May 2023 to February 2025 was carried out by Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ (UAE), which also managed 19 other vessels affiliated with Fractal Marine DMCC. In particular, on January 10, 2025, the 19-year-old tanker IMO 9308065, which was managed by Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ, loaded with russian crude oil (99 thousand tons) in the port of Ust-Luga, lost control in the Baltic Sea. According to the German Havariekommando, the vessel's power supply system and engine failed, the ship lost its ability to maneuver and began to drift at low speed in the open sea near the island of Rügen. This incident once again demonstrates the growing threat of oil spills by outdated shadow fleet vessels. The vessel, IMO 9318022, is part of a vast shipping empire controlled by Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, 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, mostly to buyers in China. The network takes significant steps to disguise its operations and obfuscate its ties to the Shamkhani family, Iran, and russia. The companies Crios Shipping LLC, Fractal Marine DMCC, Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ, Algae Ship Charter FZCO, with which the tanker IMO 9318022 is affiliated, are among the companies that have played a significant role in the management and operation of the Shamkhani tanker fleet. At the same time, Crios Shipping LLC is involved in the supply of missiles, drone components and dual-use goods from Iran to russia in exchange for russian oil supplies. On July 30, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the tanker IMO 9318022.

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, conducting deceptive, high-risk practices, in particular, conducting dark activities with AIS turned off near the russian port of Ust-Luga, Portugal (in March 2024), Oman (for 5 days in November 2023), Yemen (for 3 days in October 2023), Morocco (in January 2023), and STS transmissions, in particular near Greece. The tanker is affiliated with Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE, under UK sanctions for its involvement in servicing the energy sector of the russian economy). Fractal Marine DMCC is considered to be one of the leading operators of the so-called shadow fleet involved in the export of russian crude oil/oil products under Western sanctions in 2022-2023. The shipping company Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE) was established shortly before the G7 countries introduced a price-cap policy on russian crude oil/oil products and played a significant role in the transportation of russian crude oil/oil products under sanctions. The tanker is also affiliated with Macario Shipping LLC (UAE), whose fleet participated in the sanctioned trade. As of early March 2025, only the tanker IMO 9282041 remained under the management of Macario Shipping LLC. Since February 22, 2024, the commercial management of the tanker has been carried out by the Turkish company Westanker Ltd, which is included in the list of 11 'players' in the Turkish segment of the russian shadow fleet management, which together have been managing almost 50 tankers since the beginning of 2024 and helping russia to circumvent the policy of price cap on russian crude oil/oil products. Thus, six oil tankers IMO 9308077, IMO 9321677, IMO 9282508, IMO 9390587, IMO 9413004, IMO 9326885, which were operated by the sanctioned company Fractal Marine DMCC, were transferred to the management of the Turkish company Westanker Ltd on the same day (February 22, 2024). In 2024, all six tankers were actively involved in the transportation of russian crude oil/oil products from russian ports in the Black sea, Baltic and Arctic regions of russia.

Since August 2023, after the introduction of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, the tanker has been actively involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas, including using deceptive, high-risk practices. The vessel is engaged in shadow activities, STS transmissions, in particular in the vicinity of russian ports in the Black Sea. In November 2023, an STS transfer took place near Greece with the tanker IMO 9334557, 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. There is also an STS transmission with the tanker IMO 9384095, affiliated with MRK Shipmanagement SRL (Moldova) and Tidal Tech Mariners LLC (Azerbaijan), which are among dozens of companies from Moldova and Azerbaijan involved in the management of the fleet of wet cargo tankers of russian origin, which played a significant role in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products under Western sanctions. The tanker is affiliated with the Moldovan company BPC Shipmanagement SRL, which became the commercial and technical manager of the vessel in May 2023, while in May 2023 the owner of the vessel became Blue Sea Navigation Ltd (IMO 6390405), registered in the Seychelles at Suite 10, 3rd Floor, La Ciotat, Mont Fleuri, Mahe Island Seychelles, which is widely used for registration of shipping companies involved in the transportation of russian crude oil/petroleum products. Since April 2024, commercial management has been transferred to the company-owner, technical management - to Vvave Minder Shipmanagement (Azerbaijan) since August 2024, Tidal Tech Mariners LLC (Azerbaijan) since February 2025, while the company-owner has not changed, which may indicate the unchanged beneficiary of the vessel. After the change of management, the tanker continues to call at russian ports with oil terminals.

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and price-cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, the tanker has been involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products since January 2024, in particular, using deceptive high-risk practices, including in the transshipment area near Greece. In April and December 2024, STS transfers took place near Greece with tankers IMO 9352195 and IMO 9299862, affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management, one of the leading shadow fleet operators that played a key role in the transportation of russian crude oil/petroleum products under Western sanctions, and in December 2024 with tanker IMO 9266475, which was subject to USA sanctions on February 24, 2025. In December 2023, Blossom Bridge Corp (IMO 6437580), registered in the Seychelles at Suite 10, 3rd Floor, La Ciotat, Mont Fleuri, Mahe Island Seychelles, which is widely used for registration of shipping companies with non-transparent ownership structure, became the owner and commercial manager of the tanker, and the Moldovan company Surt Ship Management SRL became the technical manager. This Moldovan company is one of the ten Moldovan companies that played a significant role in the maritime transportation of russian crude oil and petroleum products in 2024. In September 2024, the technical management was transferred to Seafaring Savants LLC (Azerbaijan), while the owner and commercial manager of the tanker did not change, which may indicate that the beneficiary of the vessel has not changed. After the change of management, the tanker continues to make calls to russian ports with oil terminals. 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. On May 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions, which enter into force on May 21, 2025, on the tanker for the transportation of crude oil/petroleum products originating in or exported from russia, using irregular high-risk shipping practices as specified in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly Resolution A.1192(33). On June 03, 2025, the sanctions imposed by Switzerland on the vessel came into force. In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, the tanker has been involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports since March 2023, using deceptive, high-risk practices, in particular, conducting dark operations near russian ports in the Black Sea, and making STS transmissions in high-risk areas. On January 15, 2025, a tanker in the vicinity of the port of Malacca (Malaysia) made an STS transmission with the super tanker IMO 9288083, and the vessel IMO 9289518 arrived in the Malacca area from the russian port of Novorossiysk. In July 2024, an STS transfer took place in the Kerch Strait with tanker IMO 9224441, affiliated with the sanctioned russian PJSC Sovcomflot. The vessel is affiliated with one of the leading operators of the so-called 'shadow' fleet, Radiating World Shipping Services LLC (UAE, under UK sanctions). At the beginning of 2023, Radiating World Shipping Services LLC was one of the three largest carriers of russian oil, along with Fractal Marine Shipping (UAE) and Gatik Ship Management (India). At that time, the fleet of Fractal Marine Shipping, Radiating World Shipping Services and Gatik Ship Management consisted of about 90 tankers, 90% of which transported crude oil and petroleum products from the Baltic and Black Sea ports of russia to India, China, Turkey, the Middle East, Africa and South America. In order to circumvent the sanctions, Radiating World Shipping Services 're-signed' its fleet to related companies. Tankers operated/managed by Radiating World Shipping Services LLC continue to be used by related companies and call at russian ports.

The tanker has been involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas since February 2023 (almost immediately after the introduction of the G7 and EU oil embargo and price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products). During this period, from February 2023, the tanker was managed by the Indian company Gatik Ship Management, which in 2022-2023 was one of the top players in the shadow tanker fleet involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products in the face of Western sanctions. Until August 2024, technical management was carried out by companies related to Gatik Ship Management - Orion Ship Management, Caishan Ship Management, which, together with Gaurik Ship Management, Plutos Ship Management, Geras Ship Management, Girik Ship Management, Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment, Zidan Ship Management, were involved in a scheme to "juggle" vessels managed by Gatik Ship Management to avoid sanctions. Since the second half of 2024, the tanker has been actively involved in STS transfers in transshipment areas, in particular near Greece and Italy with tankers that came to transshipment areas from russian ports. In December 2024, an STS transfer took place near Greece with the tanker IMO 9397535, affiliated with the sanctioned russian PJSC Sovcomflot, and on January 10, 2025, USA sanctions were imposed on the IMO 9397535. Also, in December 2024, an STS transfer took place near Greece with the tanker IMO 9343986, which left the port of Tuapse on December 11, 2024. At the same time, the technical management of the tanker IMO 9343986 is carried out by Valegro LLC-FZ (IMO 0080182, UAE), which also manages the tanker IMO 9276561, which is considered part of the shadow fleet and was sanctioned by EU and Switzerland in 2025. In October 2024, an STS transfer took place near the port of Augusta (Italy) with the tanker IMO 9290517, affiliated with Gatik Ship Management, which arrived in the Augusta area from russian ports in the Baltic Sea (St. Petersburg, Ust-Luga). On August 14, 2024, an STS transfer took place near Greece with the tanker IMO 9278698, which left the russian port of Tuapse on August 08, 2024. On April 11, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of vessel IMO 9289776. On April 28, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel as part of the restrictions on ships delivering oil products to the Houthis, who are part of the Iranian regime's network of terrorist intermediaries and partners. 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). 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 MAISAN, the flag of Panama. At the same time, the vessel sails under the flag of Benin. On August 12, 2025, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel.