Marine Vessels

The vessel is involved in the transportation of Iranian oil for numerous refineries in China.
On October 11, 2024, the United States imposed sanctions on the vessel as property in which the sanctioned company Max Maritime Solutions FZE has an interest.

The vessel is involved in the transportation of Iranian crude oil via STS using vessels affiliated with the sanctioned National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC), a subsidiary of the sanctioned National Iranian Oil Company, which is controlled by the Iranian Ministry of Oil. The National Iranian Tanker Company is responsible for the transportation of Iranian crude oil intended for export, and plays a significant role in oil deals that are used to generate profits for the IRGC-QF (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) and Hizballah (Hezbollah).
On October 11, 2024, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel as property in which the sanctioned company Max Maritime Solutions FZE has an interest.
According to GISIS ІМО data as of July 15, 2025, the vessel's registered name is BENDIGO, flag is unknown. At the same time, the vessel sails under the name BELMA, the flag of Curacao.

The vessel is involved in the transportation of Iranian oil products.
According to the United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) data, which monitors Iranian-related tanker traffic using satellite data, the ship has switched to transporting russian oil since January 2022.
According to GISIS IMO, as of early July 2025, the vessel's flag is marked as "Guinea False".

The tanker is affiliated with Harry Victor Ship Management and Operation LLC (UAE), which was sanctioned by USA on October 11, 2024 due to the company's participation in the supply of Iranian oil/oil products in the interests of Triliance Petrochemical Co. Ltd, a broker operating in Iran, China, UAE and Germany and sanctioned by USA for its assistance to the sanctioned National Iranian Oil Company.
Many tankers involved in transporting Iranian oil to countries such as China are also involved in Venezuelan trade, including tanker IMO 9288095. On June 11, 2022, Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi signed a 20-year cooperation agreement to expand ties in the oil and petrochemical industries, as well as in the military and economic spheres. Since then, bilateral ties have begun to develop. Most cargo is transported by ships belonging to the sanctioned National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) in both directions. A significant number of ships flying under foreign (non-Iranian) flags are also involved in this trade.
On October 11, 2024, USA imposed sanctions on the tanker as a property in which Harry Victor Ship Management and Operation LLC has an interest.
According to GISIS IMO data as of July 15, 2025, the vessel's registered name is WEN YAO, the flag is designated as "San Marino False". At the same time, the vessel is sailing under the name LAN JING, the flag of Curacao.

The tanker is affiliated with Harry Victor Ship Management and Operation LLC (UAE), which was sanctioned by USA on October 11, 2024 due to the company's participation in the supply of Iranian oil/oil products in the interests of Triliance Petrochemical Co. Ltd, a broker operating in Iran, China, UAE and Germany and sanctioned by USA for its assistance to the sanctioned National Iranian Oil Company.
On October 11, 2024, USA imposed sanctions on the tanker as a property in which Harry Victor Ship Management and Operation LLC has an interest.

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price-cap policy on russian crude oil, the tanker is involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports in the Baltic, Black seas, and the Pacific region.
According to the United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), the vessel was involved in the transportation of Iranian oil and since January 2022 has switched to transporting russian oil. Since the beginning of russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, more than 90 vessels that previously helped Tehran export Iranian export oil are now helping russia transport russian oil/oil products. In May 2022, UANI first predicted that russia would turn to a 'ghost armada' to ensure oil flows to its Chinese partner.
The tanker is affiliated with Harry Victor Ship Management and Operation LLC (UAE), which was sanctioned by USA on October 11, 2024 due to the company's participation in the supply of Iranian oil/oil products in the interests of Triliance Petrochemical Co. Ltd, a broker operating in Iran, China, UAE and Germany and sanctioned by USA for its assistance to the sanctioned National Iranian Oil Company.
On October 11, 2024, USA imposed sanctions on the tanker as a property in which Harry Victor Ship Management and Operation LLC has an interest.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is involved in the transportation of Iranian crude oil and petroleum products.
Many tankers involved in transporting Iranian oil to countries such as China are also involved in Venezuelan trade, including tanker IMO 9262168. On June 11, 2022, Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi signed a 20-year cooperation agreement to expand ties in the oil and petrochemical industries, as well as in the military and economic spheres. Since then, bilateral ties have begun to develop. Most cargo is transported by ships belonging to the sanctioned National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) in both directions. A significant number of ships flying under foreign (non-Iranian) flags are also involved in this trade.
The tanker is owned by Strong Roots Provider NV, a Suriname-based company that was sanctioned by USA on October 11, 2024, due to the company's involvement in the illicit movement of Iranian oil.
On October 11, 2024, USA imposed sanctions on the tanker as the property of the sanctioned company Strong Roots Provider NV.

In August 2024, the first shipments/reloadings of STS LNG from the sanctioned Arctic LNG-2 facility were recorded by vessels that were subsequently sanctioned by partners.
At the same time, there is a possibility that earlier than in August 2024, the LNG carrier 'Christophe De Margerie' shipped the first batch of LNG from 'Arctic LNG-2' to Europe, the shipment operation was carried out in the period of June 06-11, 2024, but it was not a full batch, but a blend of LNG from 'Yamal LNG'. In the period from June 08-09, June 09-10, 2024, the vessel carried out the so-called "dark" activity near the port of Sabetta in the Gulf of Ob.
Arctic LNG-2 is the second large-capacity project after Yamal LNG of Novatek's sanctioned project for natural gas extraction and liquefied natural gas production on the Gydan Peninsula. In November 2023 and February 2024, USA and the United Kingdom respectively imposed sanctions on the russian Arctic LNG-2 project, which is of strategic importance for the government of the russian federation.
The LNG carrier 'Christophe de Margerie' is linked to Gas Carriers SCF MGMT FZCO (UAE), which 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, oil products, liquefied gas. 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, etc.
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.
In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On August 9, 2025, the tanker arrived at the Arctic LNG-2 terminal unloaded, received its cargo, passed through the Northern Sea Route, and delivered a batch of LNG to the Koryak FSU floating storage unit, which was built for Novatek's offshore transshipment complex in Kamchatka.
On October 15, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.