Marine vessels

The tanker during the period of the G7, EU oil embargo, price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports, including through STS transfers, in particular, with the sanctioned tanker IMO 9247443, which since July 2024 in the area near Greece, Cyprus, has been acting as a transshipment STS hub for russian crude oil/petroleum products, which are transported by tankers mainly from the russian ports of Tuapse, Novorossiysk, Taman oil/petroleum products transshipment complex for transshipment near European countries. The vessel engages in dark activities near the TOT of Crimea in Ukraine, the russian ports of Novorossiysk and Tuapse. The tanker calls at the Sheskharis terminal (Novorossiysk port), which is a transshipment complex, the end point of the main pipelines of Chernomortransneft JSC (TIN 2315072242, under USA sanctions), a subsidiary of the sanctioned russian Transneft PJSC (TIN 7706061801). The tanker is affiliated with the Indian companies Orion Ship Management, Geras Ship Management, which in 2023, together with Caishan Ship Management, Plutos Ship Management, Gaurik Ship Management, Girik Ship Management, Galena Ship Management, Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment, Zidan Ship Management, were involved in a scheme to "juggle" vessels operated by 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. 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.

The tanker during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products, and resorts to deceptive, high-risk practices (disabling AIS, conducting dark activities near Malaysia, making STS transmissions with russian affiliation). In early January 2023, the tanker IMO 9422988 made an STS transmission in international waters of the South Korean anchorage with the help of the russian tanker IMO 9301407 (under sanctions since January 2025, affiliated with the sanctioned russian company PJSC Sovcomflot), which had previously been loaded at the russian oil terminal De-Kastri. The tanker IMO 9422988 is involved in an established chain of supply of russian crude oil/petroleum products to third countries by making STS transfers in the area near European countries, in particular, with the sanctioned tanker IMO 9247443, which since July 2024 has been operating in the area near Greece, Cyprus as a transshipment STS hub for russian crude oil/petroleum products, which are transported by tankers mainly from the russian ports of Tuapse, Novorossiysk, Taman crude oil/petroleum products transshipment complex for transshipment near European countries. In January and March 2025, tanker IMO 9422988 conducted STS transmissions with tanker IMO 9247443 near Greece and Cyprus, respectively. There are other STS transfers near Cyprus and Greece in 2025 with other tankers of the russian shadow fleet (IMO 9352195, IMO 9314882, IMO 9263203, IMO 9299862, IMO 9198290, IMO 9424651), which were sanctioned by the EU, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom in May 2025. Transshipment of crude oil/petroleum products of russian origin by STS method at sea allows concealing the ownership and origin of the cargo, legalizing their supply to the EU, USA and other countries. In turn, the sale of crude oil/petroleum products on the world market allows the russian state budget to accumulate significant financial resources, 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 is involved in the transportation of Iranian oil to Chinese refineries, for which it was sanctioned by USAA in March 2025. 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.

The tanker during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo, the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products, actively engaged in dark activities near the russian ports of Novorossiysk, Ust-Luga, FSO IMO 9217979 in the Kola Bay, as well as near Iran. 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 Sparta Shipmanagement Limited, a company associated with the sanctioned Aleksejs Halavins, who in 2022 stated that he was the general manager of Sparta Shipmanagement Limited, as well as the chairman of the board of directors and the ultimate beneficial owner of the OGC group. Aleksejs Halavins, a Latvian citizen, was deeply involved in the trade of russian crude oil by the sanctioned company Black Pearl and has been an active buyer of russian oil at prices above the price cap since 2023. Halavins owns and manages the UAE-based sanctioned company Conrad Management Company LLC FZ (Conrad) and is the CEO of the Liberian-registered sanctioned companies Lule One Services Inc (Lule) and Lathyrus Shipping Company (Lathyrus). Halavins holds senior positions in the UAE-registered sanctioned companies International Marine Management FZE (International Marine) and Fulda Shipping Co (Fulda), both registered in Liberia. According to UANI, the tanker was involved in the transportation of Iranian oil and after the beginning of russia's full-scale invasion into Ukraine switched to the transportation of russian crude oil/petroleum products. 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 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products to third countries, including the use of deceptive practices (disabling AIS, conducting dark activities in the Gulf of Finland, the russian ports of Novorossiysk and Baltiysk). According to the United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), the vessel was involved in the transportation of Iranian oil and since May 2022 has 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 are now helping russia transport russian crude oil/petroleum products. On May 09, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker as part of the introduction of restrictions on the shadow fleet of the russian federation, including for engaging in activities whose purpose or effect is to destabilize Ukraine, undermine/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/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 US-based 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 and has switched to transporting russian crude since June 2023. Since the beginning of russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, more than 100 vessels that previously helped Iran export Iranian export oil are now helping russia transport russia's crude oil/petroleum products. In May 2022, UANI first predicted that russia would turn to a "ghost armada" to ensure oil flows to its Chinese partner. From April 2023 to January 2024, the tanker was affiliated with the Chinese company Runfeng Shipmanagement Co Ltd, the fleet of which, as of April 23, 2025, includes one sanctioned vessel IMO 9174220, involved in the transportation of iranian oil to numerous refineries in China, STS transshipment with a vessel of the sanctioned National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) near Singapore to transport tens of thousands of metric tons of Iranian crude oil.

The tanker during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products. According to the United Against Nuclear Iran, the tanker is involved in the transportation of Iranian oil, and after the start of russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, it has been helping russia to transport russian crude oil/petroleum products. The tanker is included in the list of "The Maduro-Khamenei Oil Alliance: List of Foreign Flagged Vessels Shipping Iranian and Venezuelan Oil" compiled by the United Against Nuclear Iran. According to UANI, the vessel is one of the tankers that do not belong to the sanctioned National Iranian Tanker Company, sail under foreign flags (not the flag of Iran) and participate in Iranian-Venezuelan trade, which has been actively developing since Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi signed a 20-year cooperation agreement in June 2022 to expand ties in the oil and petrochemical industries, military and economic spheres. Under this agreement, Iran supplies Venezuela with crude oil and gas condensate, and Venezuela supplies Iran with fuel oil. 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. On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom 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 is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Black and Baltic Seas, including the use of deceptive practices (disabling AIS, conducting dark activities). In particular, in January, February, and March 2023, the tanker was involved in the export of petroleum products (almost 30 thousand tons, 42 thousand tons, and almost 33 thousand tons, respectively) from the russian port of Tuapse, with the sanctioned russian PJSC Rosneft Oil Company as the sender of the cargo and Tejarinaft FZCO, Voliton DMCC, and Guron Trading Limited as the recipients, respectively. There is a production complex in Tuapse belonging to the sanctioned Rosneft - the Tuapse Refinery with a marine terminal. The tanker was also involved in several other export operations of diesel cargoes of Rosneft from the port of Tuapse on January 09 and February 01, 2023. Voliton DMCC (UAE, formerly known as Petrokim Trading Middle East & Asia DMCC) was sanctioned by USA as part of the restrictions imposed on shipowners and vessels involved in the transportation of russian crude oil in excess of the price cap. In January 2025, USA imposed sanctions on Guron Trading Limited as part of its restrictions on russian oil traders. Voliton DMCC and Guron Trading Limited are considered to be associated with Etibar Ayoub, who, together with other associated companies, has become the main intermediary of Rosneft in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products. According to the United Against Nuclear Iran, the tanker is part of an armada of ghosts that help Iran transport Iranian oil.

During the period of the G7 and EU 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 mainly from the russian ports of Novorossiysk and Tuapse, Taman crude oil/petroleum products transshipment complex in the Black Sea, as well as through STS transfers with russian affiliation in the Kerch Strait area, near Romania with vessels IMO 9278959, IMO 9288992, IMO 9612909, IMO 6514376, IMO 8727953, IMO 9230505, IMO 9683726. Transshipment of crude oil/petroleum products of russian origin at sea using the STS method allows concealing the ownership and origin of the cargo, and legalizing their supply to the EU, 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. In July 2023, the tanker was involved in the export of gasoil (almost 30 thousand tons) from the russian port of Tuapse, the sender of the cargo was Amur Trading FZCO, the recipient was Tejarinaft FZCO. There is a production complex in Tuapse belonging to the sanctioned Rosneft - the Tuapse Refinery with a marine terminal. According to the United Against Nuclear Iran, the tanker has been part of the armada of ghosts helping Iran transport Iranian oil since April 2024.

During the period of the G7 and EU 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 mainly from russian ports in the Black Sea, including through STS transfers with russian affiliation. Transshipment of crude oil/petroleum products of russian origin by STS method at sea allows concealing the ownership and origin of the cargo, legalizing their supply to the EU, 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 engages in dark activities in the Kerch Strait area, near russian ports in the Black Sea, and makes calls, in particular, to the Sheskharis terminal (Novorossiysk), which is a transshipment complex, the end point of the main pipelines of Chernomortransneft JSC (TIN: 2315072242, under USA sanctions), a subsidiary of the sanctioned russian PJSC Transneft (TIN: 7706061801), the port of Tuapse, where the production complex belonging to the sanctioned PJSC Rosneft Oil Company - Tuapse Oil Refinery with a sea terminal, and to the Taman crude oil/petroleum products transshipment complex. In August and September 2023, the tanker was involved in the export of several batches of petroleum products (over 120 thousand tons in total) (ordered by Tüpras Türkiye Petrol Rafinerileri A.Ş., Tejarinaft FZCO) from the russian port of Tuapse, the shipper of the cargoes was the sanctioned russian Rosneft (three batches), Amur Trading FZCO (one batch). According to United Against Nuclear Iran, the tanker has been part of an armada of ghosts helping Iran transport Iranian oil since June 2024. The tanker is affiliated with the sanctioned company Eco Max FZE (UAE). In October 2024, USA imposed sanctions on the tanker in connection with the illegal supply of Iranian oil and as property in which the sanctioned company Eco Max FZE has an interest.

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, the tanker was involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports, including the use of deceptive, high-risk practices (disabling AIS, conducting dark activities, STS transmissions, including near European countries, with vessels affiliated with operators of the shadow fleet of the russian federation). In February, October 2023, and January 2024, the tanker was involved in the export of several consignments of petroleum products (over 100 thousand tons in total) (ordered by Tejarinaft FZCO, Voliton DMCC) from the russian port of Tuapse, where the production complex belonging to the sanctioned PJSC Rosneft Oil Company, the Tuapse Refinery with a sea terminal, is located. The shippers of the cargoes were the sanctioned russian Rosneft (two consignments) and Amur Trading FZCO (one consignment). Voliton DMCC (UAE, formerly known as Petrokim Trading Middle East & Asia DMCC) was subject to USA sanctions as part of restrictions against shipowners and vessels involved in the transportation of russian crude oil in excess of the price cap. Voliton DMCC and Guron Trading Limited are believed to be affiliated with Etibar Eyub, who, together with other associated companies, has become the main intermediary of Rosneft in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products. The tanker has been involved in numerous STS transfers in the Kerch Strait, Greece. In March 2023, in the area south of the Kerch Strait, tanker IMO 9258014 made an STS transfer with tanker IMO 9336426, which was classified by the International NGO Greenpeace as a shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment, 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, involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Baltic, Black Sea, and Pacific regions. In March 2023, in the Kerch Strait area, tanker IMO 9258014 conducted an STS transfer with tanker IMO 9336426, which was subject to USA sanctions in January 2025. In March 2023, after leaving the Kerch Strait area, where the vessel was engaged in dark activities, tanker IMO 9258014 made an STS transfer with tanker IMO 9290335, which is considered part of the shadow fleet and is affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management, one of the leading operators of the so-called "shadow fleet", Since the beginning of russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, it has become the largest carrier of russian oil under sanctions, and was sanctioned by the United Kingdom in February 2025. According to the United Against Nuclear Iran, the tanker switched to transporting russian crude oil/petroleum products in July 2022, having previously been involved in the transportation of Iranian crude oil/petroleum products.

The tanker during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products. According to the United Against Nuclear Iran, the tanker is involved in the transportation of Iranian oil, and after the start of russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, it has been helping russia to transport russian crude oil/petroleum products. The tanker is managed by a little-known Indian company Oceanpack Ship Management Private Limited, incorporated in June 2024. 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 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products, and actively engages in dark activities in the Kerch Strait area, TOT of Crimea. The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of a shadow fleet of tankers that transport russian oil around the world and threaten the environment. According to the United Against Nuclear Iran, the tanker is involved in the transportation of Iranian oil, and after the start of russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, it has been helping russia to transport russian crude oil/petroleum products. The tanker is included in the list of "The Maduro-Khamenei Oil Alliance: List of Foreign Flagged Vessels Shipping Iranian and Venezuelan Oil" compiled by the United Against Nuclear Iran. According to UANI, the vessel is one of the tankers that do not belong to the sanctioned National Iranian Tanker Company, sail under foreign flags (not the flag of Iran) and participate in Iranian-Venezuelan trade, which has been actively developing since Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi signed a 20-year cooperation agreement in June 2022 to expand ties in the oil and petrochemical industries, military and economic spheres. Under this agreement, Iran supplies Venezuela with crude oil and gas condensate, and Venezuela supplies Iran with fuel oil. The tanker is connected to an incident that threatens environmental safety in the Gulf of Finland and poses significant risks to coastal countries. In February 2025, explosions occurred in the engine room of a tanker loaded with fuel oil in the port of Ust-Luga. The 24-member crew managed to reach the shore without injury, but as a result of the incident, the vessel ran aground with its stern, and the russian Emergencies Ministry installed booms around the vessel. The Federal Agency for Maritime and River Transport of russia stated that the cargo tanks of the tanker were not damaged and there was no leakage of oil products. The tanker is affiliated with the sanctioned Cypriot company Lagosmarine Limited, which was the tanker's manager. In January 2025, USA imposed sanctions on Lagosmarine Limited for its activities in the energy sector of the russian federation and as the technical manager of a crude oil tanker that made several calls to a russian port where the price of oil was constantly exceeding the price cap. After sanctions were imposed on the Cypriot company Lagosmarine Limited, the management of the vessel was changed to Vesta Shipmanagement Ltd (UAE). 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.