Marine vessels

The tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and price cap policy on russian oil/petroleum products, and is actively engaged in dark activities in the area of Temryuk Bay, the russian port of Ust-Luga. 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. 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 from russian ports, including the use of deceptive, high-risk practices (disabling AIS, active dark activities, in particular near the russian port of Ust-Luga). 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. 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. On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and price cap policy on russian oil/petroleum products. 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. The tanker is affiliated with Night Moon Navigation LLC, incorporated in June 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The said company carried out the ISM management of this vessel, as well as other oil tankers (IMO 9229374, IMO 918722), which were classified by the International NGO Greenpeace as part of the russian federation's shadow tanker fleet. 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. On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker, during the period of the G7+ oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products, in particular from russian ports in the Baltic Sea, and is engaged in dark activities near the russian port of Ust-Luga in the Baltic Sea, as well as in the Kerch Strait. In July 2024, an STS transfer took place near Italy with the tanker IMO 9384459, which was sanctioned by UK in February 2025 and arrived for transshipment from the russian port of Talagi (where the facilities of the Rosneft asset (formerly Arkhangelsknefteprodukt) are located). The vessel is affiliated with Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE, under UK sanctions), one of the leading operators of the so-called shadow fleet involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products in 2022-2023. On February 22, 2024, UK imposed sanctions on Fractal Marine DMCC in connection with its involvement in servicing the russian energy sector. Fractal Marine DMCC operated a fleet of 28 tankers as an intermediary between ship owners and charterers. After the sanctions were imposed, Fractal Marine DMCC tried to challenge the sanctions imposed by UK, but lost in court. After that, the company "re-registered" its fleet to other companies established, in particular, in the UAE. The tanker is affiliated with Macario Shipping LLC (UAE), which fleet was involved in the sanctioned trade. The tanker is also affiliated with Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ (UAE), which was the tanker's ISM manager in 2023-2024. 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, which was managed by Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ and 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. The tanker is commercially managed by Zulu Ships Management, which also operates other tankers affiliated with Fractal Marine DMCC - IMO 9433016, IMO 9387279, IMO 9336490, IMO 9332315, IMO 9328170, IMO 9298492, IMO 9282493, IMO 9282481, IMO 9252955, which call at russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas, while tankers IMO 9332315 and IMO 9298492 call at the port of Komysh-Burun in the TOT of Crimea. On April 11, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of the vessel IMO 9252955. The vessel, IMO 9252955, 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. Fractal Marine DMCC, Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ, Algae Ship Charter FZCO, The Zulu Ships Management and Operation - Sole Proprietorship LLC, with which the tanker IMO 9252955 is affiliated, are among the companies that have played a significant role in the management and operation of the Shamkhani network's tanker fleet. On July 30, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the tanker.

The tanker, during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, has been involved since August 2023 in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas, including the use of deceptive, high-risk practices (disabling AIS, conducting dark activities, in particular, near the russian port of Ust-Luga, conducting STS transmissions with russian affiliation, in particular, with the sanctioned tanker IMO 9650016 near the russian port of Primorsk, as well as with the sanctioned tanker of the russian shadow fleet IMO 9332781 near Egypt). 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. 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 from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas in 2023-2024, and from russian ports in the Pacific region from 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. 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).

The tanker, during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and price-cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Baltic Sea, and resorts to deceptive, highly irregular practices with the disabling of AIS. 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. 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).

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, and resorts to deceptive practices (disabling AIS, conducting dark activities near the russian port of Ust-Luga). On May 20, 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.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and price cap policy on russian oil/petroleum products. The tanker is affiliated with Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE, under UK sanctions), one of the leading operators of the so-called shadow fleet involved in the export of russian crude oil/oil products in 2022-2023. The shipping company Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE) was established shortly before the G7 countries introduced a price-cap policy on russian oil after russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and played a significant role in the transportation of russian crude oil. On February 22, 2024, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on Fractal Marine DMCC in connection with its involvement in servicing the russian energy sector. Fractal Marine DMCC operated a fleet of 28 tankers as an intermediary between ship owners and charterers. After Fractal Marine was sanctioned, DMCC tried to challenge the sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom but lost in court. After that, the company "re-signed" its fleet to other companies. 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. On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom 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 from russian ports using deceptive, high-risk practices (disabling AIS, conducting dark activities, conducting STS transmissions with other tankers, including the russian shadow fleet, near European countries). Since December 2023, the tanker has been owned by Marinequest Corp (IMO 6437580), registered in the Seychelles (Suite 10, 3rd Floor, La Ciotat, Mont Fleuri, Mahe Island Seychelles), which is widely used to register shipping companies with an opaque ownership structure, and in July 2024 the same company became the commercial manager of the vessel. In the period from January to July 2024, the tanker was affiliated with the Moldovan company Surt Ship Management SRL, which was the commercial and technical manager of the vessel during this period. This Moldovan company is one of ten Moldovan companies that played a significant role in the maritime transportation of russian crude oil and petroleum products in 2024. In July 2024, the technical management was transferred to Vvave Minder Shipmanagement (Azerbaijan), while the owner of the tanker did not change, which may indicate that the beneficiary of the vessel has not changed. Since March 2025, the technical management has been transferred to another company from Azerbaijan - Tidal Tech Mariners LLC, whose fleet as of May 26, 2025 consists of four tankers, including sanctioned ones (IMO 926165, IMO 9265873, IMO 9290921, IMO 9384095) involved in maritime trade in 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. 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 actively involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports, in particular from the port of Novorossiysk to Libya, as well as to other countries through STS transmissions, including with the AIS signal turned off in the Kerch Strait, russian ports in the Black Sea, and near Romania. In the Kerch Strait area, the tanker made STS transmissions in February 2023 with tanker IMO 8727953, owned and operated by the russian company Yarbunker LLC (TIN 760700700140), in February, March, June 2023 with tanker IMO 9637973, in March 2023 with tanker IMO 9612911, owned and operated by the russian company Volgotrans LLC (TIN 6317079434, under Ukrainian sanctions), in March 2023 with the IMO tanker 9838204 owned and operated by the russian company Capital Group JSC (TIN 9722041203). In April 2023, after leaving the port of Novorossiysk, the tanker near Romania made an STS transfer with tanker IMO 9336490, affiliated with Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE, under UK sanctions), one of the leading operators of the russian shadow fleet in 2022-2023, which played a significant role in the transportation of russian oil, as well as with Fractal's affiliate Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ (UAE). The tanker systematically calls at the Sheskaris terminal (Novorossiysk port), a transshipment complex that is the end point of the main pipelines of Chernomortransneft JSC (TIN 2315072242, under USA sanctions), a subsidiary of the sanctioned Transneft PJSC (TIN 7706061801). On April 11, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the captain of the tanker IMO 9264283.

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 from russian ports, including the use of deceptive, high-risk practices (disabling AIS, making STS transmissions). In October 2023, after leaving the port of Ust-Luga, the tanker made an STS transmission with tanker IMO 9378620 (under UK sanctions), affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management and its affiliated company Galena Ship Management, near Malta. In April 2024, after leaving a russian port, in the area near Greece, in July 2024, after leaving a russian port, in the area near Malta, the tanker made an STS transfer with the tanker IMO 9323974, affiliated with Megger Marine Solutions FZE (UAE), whose fleet includes the tanker IMO 9250543 (under sanctions of the United Kingdom and Canada), which since August 2023 has been involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports in the Baltic Sea, mainly to India. In April 2024, in the area near Greece, the tanker carried out an STS transfer with tanker IMO 9318034, affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management and the Gatik-related company Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment, in May 2024, in the area near Malta, the tanker carried out an STS transfer with tanker IMO 9419151, affiliated with Gatik Ship Management and the Gatik-related company Caishan Ship Management. The tanker has made other STS transmissions. The tanker IMO 9290517 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 related to Gatik, which in 2023, together with Orion Ship Management, Plutos Ship Management, Gaurik Ship Management, Geras Ship Management, Girik Ship Management, Galena Ship Management, Nautilus Shipping, Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment, 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 vessel. Tankers operated/managed by the Indian Gatik Ship Management continue to be used by related companies and call at russian ports. Against the backdrop of sanctions, russia is using a scheme of "juggling" ships between related companies to conceal oil exports outside the price cap and other restrictions, as well as to conceal the real owners of ships, and to ensure unimpeded transportation of fossil fuels by a "shadow" fleet of outdated 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 ships are renamed with a change of flag, MMSI, call-sign, including for sanctioned vessels. On April 11, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the captain of the tanker IMO 9290517. 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.