Marine Vessels

The vessel calls at ports in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, including the port of Kerch.

The vessel calls at ports in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, including the port of Kerch.

Maritime vessel IMO 9057305 — "Baltic" class, Project 16291, intended for the transport of general and bulk cargo, including grain, international standard containers in the holds, and timber.
The vessel was built by the Volgograd Shipyard, was registered in the port of St. Petersburg, and sailed under the russian flag from February 2012 to May 2014.
Since May 2014, the vessel has been sailing under the name RHONE, the flag of Vanuatu, with Port Vila as its port of registry.
Vessel IMO 9057305 was operated between 2004 and 2006 by the now-liquidated russian company Volga-Neva LLC, which was a subsidiary of PJSC (OJSC) "Northwest Shipping Company" (TIN 7812023195). The legal successor to PJSC (OJSC) "Northwest Shipping Company" is JSC "VOLGA-FLOT" (TIN 5260902190, subject to sanctions by the EU, Switzerland, the UK, and Ukraine), affiliated with Vladimir Sergeyevich Lisin (TIN 482500601799, subject to sanctions by Australia, Canada, and Ukraine).
Subsequently, the vessel was operated by INOK N.V., incorporated in Monaco. According to available information, the company SARL INOK N.V. is registered in Monaco and is affiliated with Vladimir KASYANENKO (as the company’s director and partner), Tatiana RATCHKOVA (Tatiana KASSIANENKO, partner), and, until September 2, 2022, with Elena OLERSKAIA (former co-partner of the company).
It is noteworthy that Vladimir Kasyanenko was the chairman of the board of directors of PJSC (OJSC) "Northwest Shipping Company"; this position was previously held by Viktor Olersky, who is likely connected to Elena Olerskaia, who was listed as a former partner of INOK N.V.
At the same time, according to available information, OLERSKAIA Elena and KASSIANENKO Tatiana are also affiliated with INOK N.V. (BE0456.404.695), a company registered on October 23, 1995, in Belgium (the company is currently defunct). The Belgian company INOK N.V. managed the vessel ABINSK (IMO 9303869, a vessel involved in the theft of grain from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine) until October 2022, during the period when the registered owner of the vessel was a subsidiary of the sanctioned JSC "GTLK". According to available information, the Belgian company INOK N.V. was affiliated with the vessel ULA IMO 9780940, flying under the flag of the russian federation (under U.S. sanctions since April 12, 2023). The U.S. imposed sanctions on the vessel ULA IMO 9780940 in April 2023, when it was operated by the Turkish company Artvin Denizcilik Ve Ticaret Limited Şirketi. At the same time, the U.S. also sanctioned the Turkish company Artvin Denizcilik Ve Ticaret Limited Şirketi itself. According to available information, the founder of the Turkish company Artvin Denizcilik Ve Ticaret Limited Şirketi is Vladimir Viktorovich Kasyanenko (affiliated with PJSC (OJSC) "Northwest Shipping Company"); his registration lists Belgian citizenship and an address in Monaco.
According to available information, technical management of RHONE (IMO 9057305) has been handled since February 27, 2012, by the Turkish company Hicaz Deniz Tasimaciligi Ticaret Ltd. Sti. (IMO 5843681), which was founded by Turkish citizen MUZAFFER TARAK (subsequently, the company’s shares were transferred). This company carried out technical management of the vessel during the period when commercial management was provided by INOK NV (Monaco), an affiliate of Vladimir Kasyanenko, who is associated with PJSC (formerly OJSC) "Northwest Shipping Company" (currently the sanctioned JSC "VOLGA-FLOT"). Currently, Hicaz Deniz Tasimaciligi Ticaret Ltd Sti provides both commercial and technical management of the vessel. Another Turkish company (Yagmur Deniz Tasimaciligi Ticaret Ltd Sti (IMO 5148061), also affiliated with MUZAFFER TARAK) was also involved in the management of the vessel.
It is noteworthy that following russia’s temporary annexation of Ukraine’s Autonomous Republic of Crimea, specifically in May 2014, the vessel’s name was changed from "Konstantin Paustovsky" to "RHONE," its flag was changed from the russian federation to Vanuatu, and the registered owner company was changed twice.
From May 30, 2014, to February 2019, the registered owner of the vessel was ANA TRADING & SHIPPING LTD (IMO 5789283), incorporated in Panama. The founders of this Panamanian company are individuals who are mass founders of a number of Panamanian companies. One of the directors of ANA TRADING & SHIPPING LTD is listed as MUZAFFER TARAK, who also founded the Turkish company Hicaz Deniz Tasimaciligi Ticaret Ltd Sti.
Since February 2019, the registered owner of the vessel RHONE (IMO 9057305) has been Cloud Nine Shipping & Trading Co (IMO 6083166), a company registered in the Marshall Islands, which operates under the auspices of the Turkish company Hicaz Deniz Tasimaciligi Ticaret Ltd Sti, which manages the vessel.
Prior to the start of russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, beginning in April 2021, the vessel called at the following ports: Borusan (Turkey), Mariupol (Ukraine), Tekirdag (Turkey), Berdyansk (Ukraine), Yeysk (russia), Bandirma (Turkey), Taganrog (russia), Samsun (Turkey), Izmir (Turkey), MMK Metalurji (an asset of the russian flat steel producer Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works, currently under sanctions), Azov (russia), Beirut (Lebanon), Iskenderun (Turkey), Yuzhny (Ukraine), Kherson (Shipyard, Ukraine), Temryuk (Russia).
Since May 2022, there has been a pattern of traffic at russian and Turkish ports characteristic of russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Additionally, there has been vessel activity at the port of Famagusta, which has been officially closed to international shipping by the Republic of Cyprus since 1974. All vessels entering this port without permission from the Cypriot authorities are considered violators.
According to available information, the vessel is involved in the maritime export of grain and oilseed meal, particularly from the port of Yeysk. In May 2026, the vessel exported 3,829.2 tons of wheat from the port of Yeysk; the shipper of the cargo is the russian company Introforus LLC (TIN 2361012833). According to available information, Introforus LLC is a trader of grain and feed, and is allocated grain export quotas in accordance with russian legislation. The company is engaged in the wholesale purchase of grain crops, the transportation of grain by road and rail, and the shipment of cargo for export by sea vessels. According to available information, Introforus LLC cooperates with the russian company Agro-Fregat LLC (TIN 6141055691), known for its involvement in schemes to export grain from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, including by sea vessels.
For maritime cargo transportation, in addition to the vessel RHONE, Introforus LLC has been using the following vessels since the start of the full-scale invasion:
ASTROL-6 (IMO 9926324) flying the russian flag,
OMSKIY-14 (IMO 8874914) flying the russian flag,
NAVIS-7 (IMO 9868819) flying the russian flag,
KAPITAN AVESHNIKOV (IMO 8332796) flying the russian flag, involved in the theft of Ukrainian grain from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine,
VOLZHSKIY-8 (IMO 8883238) flying the russian flag — a known supplier of ilmenite to the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine (port of Kerch),
ANATOLIY NIKOLAEV (IMO 9868821) flying the russian flag, involved in the theft of Ukrainian grain from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.
Despite Ukraine’s ban on the use of port infrastructure and entry into the ports of the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, satellite imagery indicates that the vessel RHONE (IMO 9057305) was located at the Kamysh-Burun seaport in Kerch on April 28, 2025. In addition, numerous instances of the vessel’s mooring in the vicinity of anchorages No. 471 and No. 453 in the port of Kerch have been recorded since the full-scale invasion began.

In February 2026, a vessel under the command of Master LITVINENKO SERGEI (russian citizen) transported over 4,000.0 metric tons of primary aluminum (HS Code 7601) from the port of Temryuk to Greece. The shipper of the aluminum cargo was AL PLUS GLOBAL DMCC (an aluminum trader affiliated with companies in the Rusal Group). In February 2025, with the adoption of the 16th sanctions package, the EU imposed a direct ban on the import of primary aluminum from russia into the EU.
In April 2026, a vessel under the command of Captain SMIRNOV MIKHAIL (russian citizen) transported coal (anthracite) belonging to JSC "Shakhtoupravlenie ‘Obukhovskaya’," which is subject to Ukrainian sanctions; the port of discharge was Giurgiulesti (Moldova).
The vessel is operated by Sarfo Denizcilik Ve Ticaret AS (Turkey), which is affiliated with Raim Alekperov, who is also one of the beneficiaries of Albros Denizcilik Ve Ticaret Anonim Şirketi (Turkey).
Albros Denizcilik Ve Ticaret Anonim Şirketi was registered on December 12, 1996, is based in Istanbul (Turkey), and specializes in the transportation of bulk, steel, and general/project cargo. The company operates a fleet of shallow-draft dry cargo ships and tankers, provides operational and technical management of its fleet, and offers agency services in the Bosphorus Strait and major Turkish ports.
Alekperov’s business is closely tied to russia: for many years, vessels from his companies’ fleet have carried out regular cargo transportation between Turkey and russia in the Black Sea.
The vessel FITBURG (IMO 9250397) belongs to the fleet of Alekperov’s companies—Sarfo Denizcilik Ve Ticaret AS and Albros Denizcilik Ve Ticaret Anonim Şirketi. On December 31, 2025, the vessel FITBURG (IMO 9250397) was detained by the Finnish Coast Guard on suspicion of damaging an underwater telecommunications cable belonging to Elisa between Finland and Estonia. According to the investigation, the vessel was moving with its anchor lowered, dragging along the seabed. The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation classifies the case as intentional property damage and obstruction of telecommunications. The attorney for the vessel’s owner in the case of the detention of the FITBURG (IMO 9250397) is Herman Ljungberg, who also served as the lawyer for the company that owns the russian shadow fleet tanker EAGLE S, suspected of severing the Estlink 2 cables between Estonia and Finland with its anchor on December 25, 2024. There were 14 crew members on board the FITBURG (IMO 9250397)—citizens of russia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan. On January 11, 2026, the Helsinki District Court arrested one of the crew members of the FITBURG, and several other sailors were prohibited from leaving Finnish territory.

During the period when Western sanctions are in effect, the vessel is involved in russian seaborne coal exports, particularly from the ports of Yeysk and Novorossiysk.
The vessel regularly calls at ports in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, in particular in November and December 2025, and January and February 2026, at the port of Kerch.
The vessel is operated by Sarfo Denizcilik Ve Ticaret AS (Turkey) and Albros Denizcilik Ve Ticaret Anonim Şirketi (Turkey), both of which are affiliated with Raim Alekperov. Albros Denizcilik Ve Ticaret Anonim Şirketi was registered on December 12, 1996, is based in Istanbul (Turkey), and specializes in the transportation of bulk, steel, and general/project cargo. The company operates a fleet of shallow-draft dry cargo ships and tankers, provides operational and technical management of its fleet, and offers agency services in the Bosphorus Strait and major Turkish ports.
Alekperov’s business is closely tied to russia: for many years, vessels from his companies’ fleet have carried out regular cargo transportation between Turkey and russia in the Black Sea. At the same time, Alekperov’s fleet contributes to the advancement of russia’s interests in the temporarily occupied territories (TOT) of Ukraine—a significant portion of the fleet frequently calls at ports in the TOT of Ukraine, including the ports of Krym, Komysh-Burun, Kerch, and Mariupol.
The vessel FITBURG (IMO 9250397) belongs to the fleet of Alekperov’s companies—Sarfo Denizcilik Ve Ticaret AS and Albros Denizcilik Ve Ticaret Anonim Şirketi. On December 31, 2025, the vessel FITBURG (IMO 9250397) was detained by the Finnish Coast Guard on suspicion of damaging an underwater telecommunications cable belonging to Elisa between Finland and Estonia. According to the investigation, the vessel was moving with its anchor lowered, dragging along the seabed. The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation classifies the case as intentional property damage and obstruction of telecommunications. The attorney for the vessel’s owner in the case of the detention of the FITBURG (IMO 9250397) is Herman Ljungberg, who also served as the lawyer for the company that owns the russian shadow fleet tanker EAGLE S, suspected of severing the Estlink 2 cables between Estonia and Finland with its anchor on December 25, 2024. There were 14 crew members on board the FITBURG (IMO 9250397)—citizens of russia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan. On January 11, 2026, the Helsinki District Court arrested one of the crew members of the FITBURG, and several other sailors were prohibited from leaving Finnish territory.

The vessel is involved in the maritime export of russian coal in circumvention of sanctions.
Specifically, in February 2026, a ship under the command of master ILGAR MIRZAYEV (Azerbaijani citizen) transported over 1,854 tons of coal from the port of Kavkaz to the port of Giurgiulesti (Moldova). The shipper of the coal cargo is the russian company JSC "UK "RAZREZ STEPNOY" (TIN 1903021363), which has been subject to U.S. sanctions since January 10, 2025, and Ukrainian sanctions since October 19, 2022.
In addition, in March 2026, the vessel, under the command of master ILGAR MIRZAYEV, transported a cargo of urea from the port of Tuapse. The shipper of the cargo is the "PMU" branch of JSC "UNITED CHEMICAL COMPANY "URALCHEM." JSC "UNITED CHEMICAL COMPANY "URALCHEM" (TIN 7703647595) is subject to Ukrainian sanctions and produces ammonia, urea, ammonium nitrate, and other dual-use chemical compounds—for agriculture and the production of explosives.

During the period when Western sanctions are in effect, the vessel is involved in russian seaborne coal exports, particularly from the port of Kavkaz.

The vessel is involved in transporting russian coal in circumvention of sanctions.
In March 2026, the vessel transported nearly 79,600 tons of coal from the port of Taman to Turkey. Specifically, the shipper of over 19,600 tons of coal was the russian company JSC Russian Coal (TIN 7705880068), which has been subject to U.S. sanctions since January 10, 2025, and Ukrainian sanctions since August 8, 2025; over 22,600 tons of coal were shipped by the russian company JSC "Atrium" (TIN 4217210272), which has been subject to Ukrainian sanctions since November 2025.

During the period when Western sanctions are in effect, the vessel is involved in russian seaborne coal exports from the russian ports of Taman and Vanino to China, India, and Turkey.

The vessel was involved in Russian seaborne coal exports, specifically from the port of Rostov-on-Don in September 2022.
The vessel calls at ports in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, including the port of Kerch.

The vessel is involved in russia's seaborne coal exports, particularly from the port of Rostov-on-Don.

The vessel is involved in the shipment of russian coal in circumvention of sanctions.
In February and May 2026, under the command of master Rufat Babayev (Azerbaijani citizen), the vessel transported two shipments of 3,200.0 tons of anthracite (coal) each from the port of Rostov-on-Don to the port of Giurgiulești (Moldova). The shipper of the anthracite cargo is the russian company LLC "SHAKHTOPRAVLENIE "SADKINSKOE" (TIN 6142018519), which is subject to Ukrainian sanctions.