Marine vessels

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 the Baltic Sea, and resorts to the practice of turning off the AIS signal and conducting so-called 'dark activities', in particular in the Baltic Sea near the coasts of russia, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. The vessel is certified by the Registro Italiano Navale (IACS). In September 2021, the United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) included the tanker in a public list of vessels suspected of involvement in the illegal transportation of Iranian oil. russia has created its own shadow fleet of tankers, mostly made up of old tankers, many of which have experience in operating under sanctions imposed on regimes such as Iran. Since the beginning of russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, more than 90 vessels that previously helped Tehran export Iranian oil are now helping russia transport russian oil/oil products. In May 2022, UANI predicted that russia would use a 'ghost armada' to ensure that excess profits from oil exports flow to its Chinese partner, in particular. Oil exports from russia are the most important source of income for the kremlin regime to finance the war against Ukraine. The tax on oil production collected by the russian federation in 2023 amounted to 8.9 trillion rubles, or 31% of total federal revenues. According to CREA data for September 2024, russia's revenues from crude oil exported by sea amounted to 192 million euros per day, 86% of the total volume of russian marine crude oil was transported by shadow tankers, while tankers owned or insured in countries that impose price restrictions accounted for 14% of the total value of russian oil exported in September. The shadow tanker fleet continues to generate multibillion-dollar revenues for the kremlin by circumventing sanctions by disguising its activities under third-country flags, using complex schemes to conceal owners, and poses significant environmental safety hazards with significant economic costs to coastal countries and/or the international community due to the outdated and inadequately insured shadow fleet tankers.

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and price-cap policy on Russian oil, the tanker was involved in the export of oil to third countries from Russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas. The vessel is certified by the regulator Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (IACS). The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as a shadow fleet. The tanker is affiliated with Thang Long Gas Co LTD (Vietnam), whose fleet was involved in the transportation of sanctioned Venezuelan and Iranian oil. Thang Long Gas Co LTD was the previous owner and manager of the tanker. russia has created its own shadow fleet of tankers, mostly made up of older tankers, many of which have experience in operating under sanctions imposed on regimes such as Iran. Since the beginning of russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, more than 90 vessels that previously helped Tehran export Iranian oil are now helping russia transport russian oil/oil products. In May 2022, UANI predicted that russia would use a 'ghost armada' to ensure that excess profits from oil exports flow to its Chinese partner, in particular. Oil exports from russia are the most important source of income for the kremlin regime to finance the war against Ukraine. The tax on oil production collected by the russian federation in 2023 amounted to 8.9 trillion rubles, or 31% of total federal revenues. According to CREA data for September 2024, russia's revenues from crude oil exported by sea amounted to 192 million euros per day, 86% of the total volume of russian marine crude oil was transported by shadow tankers, while tankers owned or insured in countries that impose price restrictions accounted for 14% of the total value of russian oil exported in September. The shadow tanker fleet continues to generate multibillion-dollar revenues for the kremlin by circumventing sanctions by disguising its activities under third-country flags, using complex schemes to conceal owners, and poses significant environmental safety hazards with significant economic costs to coastal countries and/or the international community due to the outdated and inadequately insured shadow fleet tankers.

The 2005-built tanker with a deadweight of 109,000 tons has been involved in the transportation of russian crude oil from the russian ports of Ust-Luga and Primorsk in the Baltic Sea since May 2022, and from the russian port of Tuapse in the Black Sea to China and India since 2024. Until 2022, the tanker was not involved in the transportation of russian oil. The vessel is certified by the China Classification Society (IACS). Oil exports are ussia's largest source of revenue. From February 2022 to June 2024, russia earned 475 billion euros in oil export revenues (68% of all fossil fuel export revenues). In 2023, about a third of all tax revenues in russia came from the sale of oil and gas. The tax on oil production collected by the russian federation in 2023 amounted to 8.9 trillion rubles, or 31% of total federal revenues. According to CREA data for September 2024, russia's revenues from crude oil exported by sea amounted to 192 million euros per day, 86% of the total volume of russian marine crude oil was transported by 'shadow' tankers, while tankers owned or insured in countries implementing price restrictions accounted for 14% of the total value of russian oil exported in September. Today, russia continues to make efforts to avoid/ circumvent sanctions, expand its shadow fleet with a growing number of outdated, poorly maintained vessels, use a 'ghost armada', many of which have experience in working under sanctions imposed on regimes such as Iran and Venezuela, use 'convenient' flags for vessel registration, complex ownership and management structures, and employ various tactics to conceal the origin of their cargo, including ship-to-shore transshipment (STS), disabling automatic identification systems (AIS), falsifying positions, transmitting false data, and other deceptive or even illegal methods. russia's shadow fleet, operating with minimal compliance with the rules and transporting huge volumes of crude oil through heavily trafficked routes through narrow straits close to the coastline, without proper P&I insurance, with the automatic identification system disabled, threatens an environmental disaster with significant economic costs to be borne by the affected coastal countries and/or the international community.

Since March 2023, the 2009-built tanker with a deadweight of 108.94 thousand tons has been involved in the export of russian crude oil from the russian ports of Ust-Luga and Primorsk in the Baltic Sea, mainly to India. Until 2023, the tanker was not involved in the transportation of russian oil. Since February 2024, the vessel has been certified by the Indian Register of Shipping (IACS). Oil exports are ussia's largest source of revenue. From February 2022 to June 2024, russia earned 475 billion euros in oil export revenues (68% of all fossil fuel export revenues). In 2023, about a third of all tax revenues in russia came from the sale of oil and gas. The tax on oil production collected by the russian federation in 2023 amounted to 8.9 trillion rubles, or 31% of total federal revenues. According to CREA data for September 2024, russia's revenues from crude oil exported by sea amounted to 192 million euros per day, 86% of the total volume of russian marine crude oil was transported by 'shadow' tankers, while tankers owned or insured in countries implementing price restrictions accounted for 14% of the total value of russian oil exported in September. Today, russia continues to make efforts to avoid/ circumvent sanctions, expand its shadow fleet with a growing number of outdated, poorly maintained vessels, use a 'ghost armada', many of which have experience in working under sanctions imposed on regimes such as Iran and Venezuela, use 'convenient' flags for vessel registration, complex ownership and management structures, and employ various tactics to conceal the origin of their cargo, including ship-to-shore transshipment (STS), disabling automatic identification systems (AIS), falsifying positions, transmitting false data, and other deceptive or even illegal methods. russia's shadow fleet, operating with minimal compliance with the rules and transporting huge volumes of crude oil through heavily trafficked routes through narrow straits close to the coastline, without proper P&I insurance, with the automatic identification system disabled, threatens an environmental disaster with significant economic costs to be borne by the affected coastal countries and/or the international community.

Since 2023, the 2006-built tanker with a deadweight of 115,536 tons has been involved in the export of russian crude oil from the russian ports of Ust-Luga and Primorsk in the Baltic Sea, mainly to India, as well as in the transshipment of russian oil by STS in the Red Sea. Until 2023, the tanker was not involved in the transportation of russian oil. The vessel is certified by Bureau Veritas (IACS). The ISM management of the vessel is carried out by the Indian company Margao Marine Solutions OPC. The said company carries out the ISM management of another shadow fleet tanker FENG SHOU (IMO 9402471, formerly known as ANDROMEDA STAR, under EU and Swiss sanctions), which was involved in a collision near Denmark when the tanker was sailing to load russian flagship Urals crude oil on March 04, 2024 in the Baltic port of Primorsk. This incident is an indication of the risks associated with the activities of the outdated shadow tanker fleet at sea. Oil exports are ussia's largest source of revenue. From February 2022 to June 2024, russia earned 475 billion euros in oil export revenues (68% of all fossil fuel export revenues). In 2023, about a third of all tax revenues in russia came from the sale of oil and gas. The tax on oil production collected by the russian federation in 2023 amounted to 8.9 trillion rubles, or 31% of total federal revenues. According to CREA data for September 2024, russia's revenues from crude oil exported by sea amounted to 192 million euros per day, 86% of the total volume of russian marine crude oil was transported by 'shadow' tankers, while tankers owned or insured in countries implementing price restrictions accounted for 14% of the total value of russian oil exported in September. Today, russia continues to make efforts to avoid/ circumvent sanctions, expand its shadow fleet with a growing number of outdated, poorly maintained vessels, use a 'ghost armada', many of which have experience in working under sanctions imposed on regimes such as Iran and Venezuela, use 'convenient' flags for vessel registration, complex ownership and management structures, and employ various tactics to conceal the origin of their cargo, including ship-to-shore transshipment (STS), disabling automatic identification systems (AIS), falsifying positions, transmitting false data, and other deceptive or even illegal methods. russia's shadow fleet, operating with minimal compliance with the rules and transporting huge volumes of crude oil through heavily trafficked routes through narrow straits close to the coastline, without proper P&I insurance, with the automatic identification system disabled, threatens an environmental disaster with significant economic costs to be borne by the affected coastal countries and/or the international community.

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 oil to third countries from russian ports in the Black Sea, and resorts to the practice of turning off the AIS signal, conducting so-called 'dark activities'. The vessel is certified by the China Classification Society (IACS). The vessel is affiliated with a sanctioned company One Moon Marine Services LLC (UAE) with a non-transparent organizational and ownership structure. One Moon Marine Services LLC is involved in a network of companies to which the leading operators of the shadow fleet in 2023 'registered' tankers transporting russian oil (oil products). 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 so-called 'shadow' fleet involved in the russian oil and oil products trade. Oil exports from russia are the most important source of income for the kremlin regime to finance the war against Ukraine. The tax on oil production collected by the russian federation in 2023 amounted to 8.9 trillion rubles, or 31% of total federal revenues. According to CREA data for September 2024, russia's revenues from crude oil exported by sea amounted to 192 million euros per day, 86% of the total volume of russian marine crude oil was transported by shadow tankers, while tankers owned or insured in countries that impose price restrictions accounted for 14% of the total value of russian oil exported in September. The shadow tanker fleet continues to generate multibillion-dollar revenues for the kremlin by circumventing sanctions by disguising its activities under third-country flags, using complex schemes to conceal owners, and poses significant environmental safety hazards with significant economic costs to coastal countries and/or the international community due to the outdated and inadequately insured 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 oil to third countries from russian ports in the Baltic Sea, and resorts to the practice of turning off the AIS signal, conducting so-called 'dark activities' at sea near Malaysia, Oman, Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia. The vessel is certified by the China Classification Society (IACS). The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as a shadow fleet. Oil exports from russia are the most important source of income for the kremlin regime to finance its war against Ukraine. The tax on oil production collected by the russian federation in 2023 amounted to 8.9 trillion rubles, or 31% of total federal revenues. According to CREA data for September 2024, russia's revenues from crude oil exported by sea amounted to 192 million euros per day, 86% of the total volume of russian marine crude oil was transported by 'shadow' tankers, while tankers owned or insured in countries that impose price restrictions accounted for 14% of the total value of russian oil exported in September. Thus, russia's shadow fleet continues to generate billions of dollars in revenue for the kremlin by circumventing sanctions, disguising its activities under the flags of third countries, using complex schemes to conceal owners, and poses significant environmental threats with significant economic costs to 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 oil to third countries from russian ports in Baltic sea, and resorts to the practice of turning off the AIS signal, conducting so-called 'dark activities' at sea. The tanker is certified by the Indian Register of Shipping (IACS). The tanker is managed by Prominent Shipmanagement LTD, established in 2022 in Hong Kong. Prominent is headed by Arjun Deshmukh, who worked for FESCO Wallem Shipmanagement, a joint venture between a russian company and Hong Kong's oldest ship manager. Prominent Shipmanagement LTD took over all tankers operated by K&O Shipmanagement FZE, a Dubai-based company affiliated with the sanctioned russian company Sovcomflot, and the vessels were included in the Indian Register of Shipping (the classification society with the largest market share of the so-called shadow fleet). PJSC Sovcomflot is 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 gas amidst the sanctions restrictions imposed 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 experts, the tankers 're-registered' 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. Oil exports from russia are the most important source of income for the kremlin regime to finance the war against Ukraine. The tax on oil production collected by the russian federation in 2023 amounted to 8.9 trillion rubles, or 31% of total federal revenues. According to CREA data for September 2024, russia's revenues from crude oil exported by sea amounted to 192 million euros per day, 86% of the total volume of russian marine crude oil was transported by shadow tankers, while tankers owned or insured in countries that impose price restrictions accounted for 14% of the total value of russian oil exported in September. The shadow tanker fleet continues to generate multibillion-dollar revenues for the kremlin by circumventing sanctions by disguising its activities under third-country flags, using complex schemes to conceal owners, and poses significant environmental safety hazards with significant economic costs to coastal countries and/or the international community due to the outdated and inadequately insured 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 oil to third countries from russian ports in the Baltic Sea, and resorts to the practice of turning off the AIS signal, conducting so-called 'dark activities' at sea. The vessel is certified by the China Classification Society (IACS). The owner and commercial manager of the vessel is Xingfu Hai Shipping Ltd (Seychelles), whose fleet consists of only the tanker 'WEI FENG'. The ISM-manager of the tanker is the Chinese company Jiangtai Shipmanagement Co Ltd, which manages the security of another tanker DANGLA (IMO 9294331), 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 oil/oil products in 2022-2023. The shipping company Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE) was established by former Socar CEO Mathieu Philippe as a subsidiary of the Swiss Fractal Shipping SA 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 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. Fractal Marine DMCC, together with Gatik Ship Management (India) and Radiating World Shipping Services LLC (UAE, under UK sanctions), are considered the leading operators of the russian shadow fleet, which in early 2023 assembled a fleet of about 90 tankers, 90% of which transported russian oil/oil products from the Baltic and black sea ports of russia to India, China, Turkey, the Middle East, Africa and South America. In less than a year, the $2 billion fleet of oil tankers assembled by Fractal and Gatik could transport more than 40 million barrels of oil/oil products. Fractal Marine DMCC, Gatik Ship Management and Radiating World Shipping Services LLC in the tanker market helped russian oil continue to circulate around the world and the russian government to generate multibillion-dollar revenues bypassing the sanctions. 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. 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 hide 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 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 near the coastline, without proper P&I insurance, with the automatic identification system turned off, threatens an environmental disaster with significant economic costs to be borne by the affected coastal countries and/or the international community. The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as a shadow fleet. Oil exports from russia are the most important source of income for the kremlin regime to finance the war against Ukraine. The tax on oil production collected by the russian federation in 2023 amounted to 8.9 trillion rubles, or 31% of total federal revenues. According to CREA data for September 2024, russia's revenues from crude oil exported by sea amounted to 192 million euros per day, 86% of the total volume of russian marine crude oil was transported by 'shadow' tankers, while tankers owned or insured in countries that impose price restrictions accounted for 14% of the total value of russian oil exported in September. Thus, russia's "shadow fleet" continues to generate billions of dollars in revenue for the kremlin bypassing sanctions, disguising its activities under the flags of third countries, using complex schemes to conceal owners, and poses significant environmental threats with significant economic costs to 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 oil to third countries from russian ports in the Baltic Sea, transshipment of russian oil from ship to ship in the area of anchorages in Greece and Malta. The transshipment of oil from ship to ship off the coast of Greece and Malta is reminiscent of the activities of the so-called 'STS hubs' that emerged several years ago in the UAE, Oman and Malaysia in response to USA sanctions against Venezuelan and Iranian oil. This methodology is aimed at concealing the origin, ownership and final destination of questionable cargo. The tanker 'RANGLER' resorts to the practice of turning off the AIS signal, conducting so-called 'dark activities', in particular in the Baltic Sea. The vessel is certified by the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping. The owner and commercial manager of the vessel is Ethereal Harbor Corp, a company registered in the Seychelles. The ISM manager of the tanker is Harmony Voyage Shipmanagement, a Kazakh company. The fleet of these companies consists only of the tanker 'RANGLER'. 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 hide 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 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. Oil exports from russia are the most important source of income for the kremlin regime to finance the war against Ukraine. The tax on oil production collected by the russian federation in 2023 amounted to 8.9 trillion rubles, or 31% of total federal revenues. According to CREA data for September 2024, russia's revenues from crude oil exported by sea amounted to 192 million euros per day, 86% of the total volume of russian marine crude oil was transported by 'shadow' tankers, while tankers owned or insured in countries that impose price restrictions accounted for 14% of the total value of russian oil exported in September. Thus, russia's 'shadow fleet' continues to generate billions of dollars in revenue for the Kremlin bypassing sanctions, disguising its activities under the flags of third countries, using complex schemes to conceal owners, and poses significant environmental threats with significant economic costs to coastal countries and/or the international community due to the outdated and inadequate insurance of shadow fleet tankers.

Since 2024, during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price-cap policy on russian oil, the tanker has been involved in the export of oil to third countries from russian ports in the Baltic Sea. The previous owner of the vessel until April 2024 was the Greek company Thenamaris Ships Management. The tanker was sold to an unknown buyer, and, according to the international public organization Greenpeace, is part of the shadow fleet of the russian federation. Oil exports from russia are the most important source of income for the kremlin regime to finance the war against Ukraine. The tax on oil production collected by the russian federation in 2023 amounted to 8.9 trillion rubles, or 31% of total federal revenues. According to CREA data for September 2024, russia's revenues from crude oil exported by sea amounted to 192 million euros per day, 86% of the total volume of russian marine crude oil was transported by shadow tankers, while tankers owned or insured in countries that impose price restrictions accounted for 14% of the total value of russian oil exported in September. The shadow tanker fleet continues to generate multibillion-dollar revenues for the kremlin by circumventing sanctions by disguising its activities under third-country flags, using complex schemes to conceal owners, and poses significant environmental safety hazards with significant economic costs to coastal countries and/or the international community due to the outdated and inadequately insured shadow fleet tankers.