Sea vessels

The tanker is designed to operate at Yamal LNG, the first large-capacity project of NOVATEK's subsidiary, ensuring year-round export of gas condensate via the Northern Sea Route from the Sabetta LNG terminal to Europe and Asia. Stable gas condensate (SGC) serves as a feedstock for the production of gasoline, gasoil, jet fuel and diesel fuel. The leading russian players in the stable gas condensate market are GAZPROM, IRKUTSK OIL COMPANY, NOVATEK, RUSNEFT, YAMAL LNG and YATEK. The volume of stable gas condensate exports in 2023 amounted to 4526.6 thousand tons. The largest share of exports in 2023 was taken by: “GAZPROM, NOVATEK and YAMAL LNG. In 2024, Yamal LNG LLC was the exporter of gas condensate to the EU market. According to export operations, in 2024, the company supplied more than $234 million worth of gas condensate to the EU. The growth in gas condensate exports from russia to the EU is due, in particular, to the absence of sanctions restrictions on russian gas condensate. The application of restrictions to russian gas condensate and/or vessels involved in its transportation will force russia to look for new markets/storage facilities, which will disrupt its technological processes and lead to additional costs for russia.

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 to third countries from russian ports, including with the AIS signal turned off. The tanker is certified by the Indian regulator Indian Register of Shipping (IACS). The vessel through related companies, in particular Stream Ship Management FZCO, sanctioned Oil Tankers SCF MGMT FZCO, Sun Ship Management, SCF Management Services LTD, 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, and liquefied natural gas amid sanctions restrictions on russia after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The services provided by Sovcomflot are a significant source of income for russia, as more than 70% of russia's revenues come from energy sales, which allows it to finance its war against Ukraine. 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' and others. Prior to russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the company's fleet consisted of about 145 vessels. After the sanctions were imposed, Sovcomflot transferred dozens of vessels to the ownership of companies it had set up, including in foreign jurisdictions, in order to circumvent them, and began the practice of constantly “juggling” (transferring) vessels to related companies. According to expert estimates, the tankers "transferred" by Sovcomflot to related companies are part of the so-called "shadow tanker fleet" of the russian federation to continue selling russian oil, oil products, and liquefied gas under western sanctions. As sanctions are being imposed, russia uses a scheme of 'juggling' ships between related companies to conceal oil exports outside price-cap and other restrictions, as well as to hide the real owners of ships, and to ensure unimpeded transportation of fossil fuels by a 'shadow' fleet of obsolete 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 vessels are renamed with a change of flag, MMSI, call-sign, including for sanctioned vessels. Shadow fleet vessels operate under 'convenient flags', which allows them to conceal their true origin and avoid control by international organizations and insurance companies. Almost all vessels involved in the transportation of russian oil by the 'shadow fleet' since 2022 have been certified by the Indian regulator Indian Register of Shipping (IACS). The certification of 'shadow fleet' vessels allows the shipowner/operator to insure the vessels, which, in turn, allows the vessels to enter ports and pass through various specific sea routes (straits, canals, etc.). According to CREA, from January to August 2024, the number of 'shadow' tankers crossing the Danish Straits in Europe increased by 277% compared to the same period in 2022, with 64% of the 46 million tons of russian marine oil transported through the Danish Straits being transported by 'shadow tankers'. In the same period, the number of shadow tankers in the Straits of Dover and Gibraltar increased by 355% compared to 2022, transporting 67% of the 37 million tons of oil through the straits. The Suez Canal experienced a staggering 649% increase in shadow tanker traffic, with 69% of the 52 million tons of russian crude oil passing through it being transported by these vessels. Thus, the 'shadow fleet' of the russian federation continues to provide multibillion-dollar revenues for the kremlin bypassing sanctions, disguising its activities under the flags of third countries, using complex schemes to conceal owners.

The tanker is involved in the transportation of russian LNG to third countries, including with the AIS system disabled. On September 4, 2024, the Federal State Budgetary Institution "Main Directorate of the Northern Sea Route" issued a permit for the Ice2 ice-class vessel 'VELIKIY NOVGOROD' to sail in the waters of the Northern Sea Route on the route "Western/Eastern border of the Northern Sea Route - Port of Sabetta - Eastern/Western border of the Northern Sea Route" based on the application of Alexandria Seaways Ltd dated September 4, 2024. On October 17, 2024, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker 'VELIKIY NOVGOROD'.

During the G7 and EU oil embargo and price-cap policy on russian oil, the tanker is involved in the export of russian oil to third countries from russian ports, including with the AIS system turned off. The vessel 'IONIA' is certified by the Indian regulator Indian Register of Shipping (IACS). The owner, manager, and commercial manager of the tanker since March 2024 is an unknown company Narus Maritime Corp (Seychelles), which fleet consists of only the tanker 'IONIA'. The ISM manager of the vessel since August 2024 is Oceanix Management FZE (UAE), which fleet consists of this vessel and the tanker 'VARUNA' (IMO 9332810), which was sanctioned by the United Kingdom on October 17, 2024 as part of the application of restrictions on the 'shadow fleet' involved in the transportation of russian oil/oil products from russia to third countries. The tanker 'IONIA' 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 Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment LLC, which is related to Gatik, which in 2023, together with Caishan Ship Management, Galena Ship Management, Gaurik Ship Management LLP, Geras Ship Management, Girik Ship Management, Orion Ship Management LLP, Nautilus Shipping (India), Plutos Ship Management, Zidan Ship Management, was involved in a scheme to 'juggle' vessels managed by Gatik Ship Management to avoid sanctions. Gatik Ship Management and Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment LLC were the previous managers of the 'IONIA'. Tankers operated/managed by India's Gatik Ship Management continue to be used by related companies and call at russian ports. As sanctions are being imposed, russia uses a scheme of "juggling" ships between related companies to conceal oil exports outside the price cap and other restrictions, as well as to hide the real owners of ships, and to ensure unimpeded transportation of fossil fuels by a 'shadow' fleet of obsolete 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 vessels are renamed with a change of flag, MMSI, call-sign, including for sanctioned vessels. Shadow fleet vessels operate under “convenient flags”, which allows them to conceal their true origin and avoid control by international organizations and insurance companies. Almost all vessels that are involved in the transportation of russian oil by the shadow fleet since 2022 have been certified by the Indian regulator Indian Register of Shipping (IACS). The certification of shadow fleet vessels allows the shipowner/operator to insure the vessels, which, in turn, allows the vessels to enter ports and pass through various specific sea routes (straits, canals, etc.). The 'shadow' fleet, transporting huge volumes of crude oil through heavily trafficked routes through narrow straits close to the coastline, without proper P&I insurance, with automatic identification systems disabled, threatens an environmental disaster with significant economic costs to be borne by the affected coastal countries and/or the international community. The recent incidents off Malaysia only underscore the need for swift action to curb the potentially devastating impact of the growing 'shadow fleet'. 'Shadow' tankers have already been involved in 50 incidents from the Danish Straits all the way to Malaysia since russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. According to CREA, from January to August 2024, the number of shadow tankers crossing the Danish Straits in Europe increased by 277% compared to the same period in 2022, with 64% of the 46 million tons of russian marine oil transported through the Danish Straits being transported by shadow tankers. In the same period, the number of shadow tankers in the Straits of Dover and Gibraltar increased by 355% compared to 2022, transporting 67% of the 37 million tons of oil through the straits. The Suez Canal experienced a staggering 649% increase in shadow tanker traffic, with 69% of the 52 million tons of russian crude oil passing through it being transported by these vessels. Thus, the 'shadow fleet' of the russian federation continues to provide multibillion-dollar revenues for the kremlin bypassing sanctions, disguising its activities under the flags of third countries, using complex schemes to conceal owners, and poses significant threats to environmental safety with significant economic costs for coastal countries and/or the international community due to the outdated and inadequate insurance of shadow fleet tankers.

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and price-cap policy on russian oil, the tanker is involved in the export of russian oil to third countries from russian ports, in particular in the Black Sea, including with the AIS turned off. The tanker 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 Gatik's related companies, including Plutos Ship Management, Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment LLC. Gatik Ship Management, Plutos Ship Management, Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment LLC were the previous managers of the tanker. Since the beginning of russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, the Indian company Gatik Ship Management has become the largest carrier of russian oil and was used to operate the russian 'shadow' fleet under sanctions. The constant change of ship owners and managers to avoid sanctions and conceal the true beneficiaries of the ships is typical for the so-called 'shadow' fleet involved in the russian oil and oil products trade. On October 17, 2024, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on tankers of the russian so-called "shadow" fleet, including the tanker 'SAI BABA', in connection with the transportation of russian oil and/or oil products from the russian federation to third countries.

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and price-cap policy on russian oil, the tanker is involved in the export of russian oil to third countries from russian ports, in particular in the Baltic and Black Seas, including with the AIS turned off. The tanker 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 Gatik's related companies, including Plutos Ship Management, Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment LLC. Gatik Ship Management, Plutos Ship Management, Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment LLC were the previous managers of the tanker. Since the beginning of russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, the Indian company Gatik Ship Management has become the largest carrier of russian oil and was used to operate the russian 'shadow' fleet under sanctions. The constant change of ship owners and managers to avoid sanctions and conceal the true beneficiaries of the ships is typical for the so-called 'shadow' fleet involved in the russian oil and oil products trade. On October 17, 2024, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on tankers of the russian so-called "shadow" fleet, including the tanker 'ARTEMIS', in connection with the transportation of russian oil and/or oil products from the russian federation to third countries.

During the period of the G7 and EU crude oil embargo and the price-cap policy on russian crude oil, the tanker is involved in the export of russian oil to third countries from russian ports, including with the AIS system disabled. The owner, manager, and commercial manager of the vessel since the end of January 2024 is Rahad Maritime Corp., whose fleet consists of this vessel only. The ISM-manager of the vessel since the end of March 2024 is Beacon Ship Management. The tanker is certified by the Indian regulator Indian Register of Shipping (IACS). The tanker 'JUMBO' is affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management, one of the leading operators of the so-called 'shadow fleet', which has become the largest carrier of russian oil under sanctions since the beginning of the full-scale war against Ukraine. Tankers operated/managed by India's Gatik Ship Management continue to be used by related companies and call at russian ports. As sanctions are being imposed, russia uses a scheme of "juggling" ships between related companies to conceal oil exports outside the price cap and other restrictions, as well as to hide the real owners of ships, and to ensure unimpeded transportation of fossil fuels by a 'shadow' fleet of obsolete 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 vessels are renamed with a change of flag, MMSI, call-sign, including for sanctioned vessels. Shadow fleet vessels operate under “convenient flags”, which allows them to conceal their true origin and avoid control by international organizations and insurance companies. Almost all vessels that are involved in the transportation of russian oil by the shadow fleet since 2022 have been certified by the Indian regulator Indian Register of Shipping (IACS). The certification of shadow fleet vessels allows the shipowner/operator to insure the vessels, which, in turn, allows the vessels to enter ports and pass through various specific sea routes (straits, canals, etc.). The 'shadow' fleet, transporting huge volumes of crude oil through heavily trafficked routes through narrow straits close to the coastline, without proper P&I insurance, with automatic identification systems disabled, threatens an environmental disaster with significant economic costs to be borne by the affected coastal countries and/or the international community. The recent incidents off Malaysia only underscore the need for swift action to curb the potentially devastating impact of the growing 'shadow fleet'. 'Shadow' tankers have already been involved in 50 incidents from the Danish Straits all the way to Malaysia since russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. According to CREA, from January to August 2024, the number of shadow tankers crossing the Danish Straits in Europe increased by 277% compared to the same period in 2022, with 64% of the 46 million tons of russian marine oil transported through the Danish Straits being transported by shadow tankers. In the same period, the number of shadow tankers in the Straits of Dover and Gibraltar increased by 355% compared to 2022, transporting 67% of the 37 million tons of oil through the straits. The Suez Canal experienced a staggering 649% increase in shadow tanker traffic, with 69% of the 52 million tons of russian crude oil passing through it being transported by these vessels. Thus, the 'shadow fleet' of the russian federation continues to provide multibillion-dollar revenues for the kremlin bypassing sanctions, disguising its activities under the flags of third countries, using complex schemes to conceal owners, and poses significant threats to environmental safety with significant economic costs for coastal countries and/or the international community due to the outdated and inadequate insurance of shadow fleet tankers.

The tanker is designed to operate at Yamal LNG, the first large-capacity project of NOVATEK's subsidiary, ensuring year-round export of gas condensate via the Northern Sea Route from the Sabetta LNG terminal to Europe and Asia. Stable gas condensate (SGC) serves as a feedstock for the production of gasoline, gasoil, jet fuel and diesel fuel. The leading russian players in the stable gas condensate market are GAZPROM, IRKUTSK OIL COMPANY, NOVATEK, RUSNEFT, YAMAL LNG and YATEK. The volume of stable gas condensate exports in 2023 amounted to 4526.6 thousand tons. The largest share of exports in 2023 was taken by: “GAZPROM, NOVATEK and YAMAL LNG. In 2024, Yamal LNG LLC was the exporter of gas condensate to the EU market. According to export operations, in 2024, the company supplied more than $234 million worth of gas condensate to the EU. The growth in gas condensate exports from russia to the EU is due, in particular, to the absence of sanctions restrictions on russian gas condensate. The application of restrictions to russian gas condensate and/or vessels involved in its transportation will force russia to look for new markets/storage facilities, which will disrupt its technological processes and lead to additional costs for russia.

During the G7 and EU oil embargo and price-cap policy on russian oil, the tanker is involved in the export of russian oil to third countries from russian ports in the Black and Baltic seas. The tanker 'ANDAMAN SKIES' is certified by the Chinese regulator China Classification Society (IACS). Since January 2023, the vessel has been owned by an unknown company, Durbeen Navigation LTD, whose fleet consists only of the tanker 'ANDAMAN SKIES'. Since November 2023, the vessel's manager has been Alqutb Alshamali Marine Services LLC (UAE), affiliated with one of the leading operators of the so-called 'shadow' fleet, Radiating World Shipping Services LLC (UAE, under United Kingdom 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 oil and oil 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-registered' its fleet to related companies, in particular Alqutb Ashamali Marine Services (as of October 30, 2024, only one tanker, 'Turbo Voyager' (IMO 9299898, under United Kingdom sanctions since October 17, 2024), remained in the management of Alqutb Ashamali Marine Services). Tankers operated/managed by Radiating World Shipping Services LLC continue to be used by related companies and call at russian ports. As sanctions are being imposed, russia uses a scheme of 'juggling' ships between related companies to conceal oil exports outside the price cap and other restrictions, as well as to hide the real owners of ships, and to ensure unimpeded transportation of fossil fuels by a 'shadow' fleet of obsolete 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 vessels are renamed with a change of flag, MMSI, call-sign, including for sanctioned vessels. Shadow fleet vessels operate under “convenient flags”, which allows them to conceal their true origin and avoid control by international organizations and insurance companies. The 'shadow' fleet, transporting huge volumes of crude oil through heavily trafficked routes through narrow straits close to the coastline, without proper P&I insurance, with automatic identification systems disabled, threatens an environmental disaster with significant economic costs to be borne by the affected coastal countries and/or the international community. The recent incidents off Malaysia only underscore the need for swift action to curb the potentially devastating impact of the growing 'shadow fleet'. 'Shadow' tankers have already been involved in 50 incidents from the Danish Straits all the way to Malaysia since russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. According to CREA, from January to August 2024, the number of shadow tankers crossing the Danish Straits in Europe increased by 277% compared to the same period in 2022, with 64% of the 46 million tons of russian marine oil transported through the Danish Straits being transported by shadow tankers. In the same period, the number of shadow tankers in the Straits of Dover and Gibraltar increased by 355% compared to 2022, transporting 67% of the 37 million tons of oil through the straits. The Suez Canal experienced a staggering 649% increase in shadow tanker traffic, with 69% of the 52 million tons of russian crude oil passing through it being transported by these vessels. Thus, the 'shadow fleet' of the russian federation continues to provide multibillion-dollar revenues for the kremlin bypassing sanctions, disguising its activities under the flags of third countries, using complex schemes to conceal owners, and poses significant threats to environmental safety with significant economic costs for coastal countries and/or the international community due to the outdated and inadequate insurance of shadow fleet tankers.

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price-cap policy on russian oil, the tanker is involved in the export of russian oil to third countries from russian ports, in particular in the Baltic Sea, including with the AIS disabled. The tanker is affiliated with Galena Ship Management and Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment, which were the former ISM managers of the vessel in 2023. Galena Ship Management, Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagement are among a number of other companies involved in the 'juggling' of shadow fleet vessels associated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management, one of the leading operators of the so-called 'shadow' fleet, which has become the largest carrier of russian oil under sanctions since the beginning of the full-scale war against Ukraine. The constant change of owners and managers of vessels to avoid sanctions and conceal the true beneficiaries of the vessels is a typical phenomenon for the 'shadow' fleet involved in the russian oil and oil products trade. On October 17, 2024, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on tankers of the russian so-called 'shadow' fleet, including the tanker 'ANTAEUS', in connection with the transportation of russian oil and/or oil products from russia to third countries.

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price-cap policy on russian oil, the tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil to third countries from russian ports, including with the AIS system turned off. Since March 01, 2024, the owner and commercial manager of the tanker is an unknown company Campana Shipping Inc (Mauritius), the ISM manager is the Indian company Meegaman Maritime PVT LTD. The fleet of the shipowner and ISM-manager consists only of the tanker 'THESEUS' (IMO 9304825). The tanker is certified by the Indian regulator Indian Register of Shipping (IACS). The tanker 'THESEUS' is affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management, one of the leading operators of the so-called 'shadow fleet', which has become the largest carrier of russian oil under sanctions since the beginning of the full-scale war between russia and Ukraine. Tankers operated/managed by India's Gatik Ship Management continue to be used by related companies and call at russian ports. As sanctions are being imposed, russia uses a scheme of "juggling" ships between related companies to conceal oil exports outside the price cap and other restrictions, as well as to hide the real owners of ships, and to ensure unimpeded transportation of fossil fuels by a 'shadow' fleet of obsolete 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 vessels are renamed with a change of flag, MMSI, call-sign, including for sanctioned vessels. Shadow fleet vessels operate under “convenient flags”, which allows them to conceal their true origin and avoid control by international organizations and insurance companies. Almost all vessels that are involved in the transportation of russian oil by the shadow fleet since 2022 have been certified by the Indian regulator Indian Register of Shipping (IACS). The certification of shadow fleet vessels allows the shipowner/operator to insure the vessels, which, in turn, allows the vessels to enter ports and pass through various specific sea routes (straits, canals, etc.). The 'shadow' fleet, transporting huge volumes of crude oil through heavily trafficked routes through narrow straits close to the coastline, without proper P&I insurance, with automatic identification systems disabled, threatens an environmental disaster with significant economic costs to be borne by the affected coastal countries and/or the international community. The recent incidents off Malaysia only underscore the need for swift action to curb the potentially devastating impact of the growing 'shadow fleet'. 'Shadow' tankers have already been involved in 50 incidents from the Danish Straits all the way to Malaysia since russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. According to CREA, from January to August 2024, the number of shadow tankers crossing the Danish Straits in Europe increased by 277% compared to the same period in 2022, with 64% of the 46 million tons of russian marine oil transported through the Danish Straits being transported by shadow tankers. In the same period, the number of shadow tankers in the Straits of Dover and Gibraltar increased by 355% compared to 2022, transporting 67% of the 37 million tons of oil through the straits. The Suez Canal experienced a staggering 649% increase in shadow tanker traffic, with 69% of the 52 million tons of russian crude oil passing through it being transported by these vessels. Thus, the 'shadow fleet' of the russian federation continues to provide multibillion-dollar revenues for the kremlin bypassing sanctions, disguising its activities under the flags of third countries, using complex schemes to conceal owners, and poses significant threats to environmental safety with significant economic costs for coastal countries and/or the international community due to the outdated and inadequate insurance of shadow fleet tankers.

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 crude oil to third countries from russian ports, including with the AIS system disabled. The owner and commercial manager of the tanker since April 01, 2024 is an unknown company Aquaflow Marine FZE (UAE), whose fleet consists of only one oil tanker 'THALASSA'. The ISM-manager of the tanker is Maple Maritime Solutions FZE (UAE), which manages another tanker 'MERCURY' (IMO 9319870), affiliated with the Indian Gatik Ship Management. The tanker is certified by the Indian regulator Indian Register of Shipping (IACS). The tanker 'THALASSA' is affiliated with the Indian company Galena Ship Management, which is one of a number of other companies involved in the practice of 'juggling' vessels associated with the Indian Gatik Ship Management, one of the leading operators of the so-called 'shadow fleet', which has become the largest carrier of russian oil under sanctions since the beginning of russia's full-scale war against Ukraine. Tankers operated/managed by India's Gatik Ship Management continue to be used by related companies and call at russian ports. As sanctions are being imposed, russia uses a scheme of "juggling" ships between related companies to conceal oil exports outside the price cap and other restrictions, as well as to hide the real owners of ships, and to ensure unimpeded transportation of fossil fuels by a 'shadow' fleet of obsolete 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 vessels are renamed with a change of flag, MMSI, call-sign, including for sanctioned vessels. Shadow fleet vessels operate under “convenient flags”, which allows them to conceal their true origin and avoid control by international organizations and insurance companies. Almost all vessels that are involved in the transportation of russian oil by the shadow fleet since 2022 have been certified by the Indian regulator Indian Register of Shipping (IACS). The certification of shadow fleet vessels allows the shipowner/operator to insure the vessels, which, in turn, allows the vessels to enter ports and pass through various specific sea routes (straits, canals, etc.). The 'shadow' fleet, transporting huge volumes of crude oil through heavily trafficked routes through narrow straits close to the coastline, without proper P&I insurance, with automatic identification systems disabled, threatens an environmental disaster with significant economic costs to be borne by the affected coastal countries and/or the international community. The recent incidents off Malaysia only underscore the need for swift action to curb the potentially devastating impact of the growing 'shadow fleet'. 'Shadow' tankers have already been involved in 50 incidents from the Danish Straits all the way to Malaysia since russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. According to CREA, from January to August 2024, the number of shadow tankers crossing the Danish Straits in Europe increased by 277% compared to the same period in 2022, with 64% of the 46 million tons of russian marine oil transported through the Danish Straits being transported by shadow tankers. In the same period, the number of shadow tankers in the Straits of Dover and Gibraltar increased by 355% compared to 2022, transporting 67% of the 37 million tons of oil through the straits. The Suez Canal experienced a staggering 649% increase in shadow tanker traffic, with 69% of the 52 million tons of russian crude oil passing through it being transported by these vessels. Thus, the 'shadow fleet' of the russian federation continues to provide multibillion-dollar revenues for the kremlin bypassing sanctions, disguising its activities under the flags of third countries, using complex schemes to conceal owners, and poses significant threats to environmental safety with significant economic costs for coastal countries and/or the international community due to the outdated and inadequate insurance of shadow fleet tankers.