Marine Vessels

involved in the transportation of weapons, stolen
Ukrainian products and in the circumvention of sanctions
Total number:
1488
Marine vessels
545
Masters
Updated: 10.10.2026
Maritime logistics is critically important for building up the aggressor`s military capabilities, moving troops, obtaining weapons and sanctioned goods, and trading stolen goods. Aggressors transport weapons through international straits on civilian merchant vessels. Exporting fossil fuels to circumvent sanctions is the main source of income for russia and Iran. The shadow tanker fleet and ships without ice class in the Arctic threaten an environmental disaster. Through the sale of agricultural products from the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories, russia finances the war and maintains the loyalty of its allies, Iran and the DPRK.
Together we can stop this to restore peace and security
Actions to be taken
  • to sanction the vessels on the list below, as well as all related companies and individuals (owners, operators, managers, executives, senior crew members)
  • to prohibit the entry of such vessels into ports, territorial waters, EEZs and international straits, and the sale of spare parts for them
 
  • to increase and ensure compliance with environmental and safety requirements for tankers entering territorial waters, EEZs and international straits
  • to require bank statements to confirm compliance with the price-cap when receiving insurance and other services
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Total: 1
M SOPHIA
Vessel name
M SOPHIA
IMO
9289477
Flag (Current)
unknown
Vessel Type
Crude Oil Tanker
Category
Transportation of fossil fuels in violation of sanctions and other restrictions
icon arrow-tree Transporting russian crude oil / petroleum products
The VLCC tanker is involved in the transportation of Iranian, Venezuelan, and russian crude oil.
In particular, the vessel is involved in STS transshipments from tankers carrying sanctioned Iranian or Venezuelan crude oil at anchorages near Malaysia and China.
The tanker was purchased from DHT Tankers and is affiliated with an anonymous Chinese buyer who spent approximately $376 million to acquire a group of 13 tankers for high-risk transportation of russian crude oil in the Atlantic Ocean. Among these 13 tankers are seven VLCC vessels, five Aframax vessels, and one Suezmax vessel. The vessels were purchased by an anonymous buyer through 20 separate but interrelated one-ship shell companies from Hong Kong and China.
Subsequently, all but one of the tankers were involved in transshipment of wet cargoes in international waters, in areas 860 nautical miles west of Portugal.
The registered owners, commercial managers, and technical managers of this group of tankers have almost identical registration addresses in Dalian (PRC) and two identical addresses in Hong Kong.
This group of tankers is considered a hub for the transshipment of russian crude oil to the PRC in the mid-Atlantic.
Logistical STS hubs allow to hide the ownership and origin of cargo.
The tanker, considered to be part of the shadow fleet, is affiliated with SUNNE CO LIMITED, which was sanctioned by the US on January 10, 2025, for its activities in the russian energy sector.
On January 10, 2025, the United States imposed sanctions on the vessel as property in which SUNNE CO LIMITED has an interest.
Since September 12, 2025, the United Kingdom has imposed sanctions as part of restrictions on the russian shadow fleet.
In November 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On January 7, 2026, the US military (US Southern Command) intercepted and detained tanker IMO 9289477 in international waters in the Caribbean Sea. At the time of detention, the tanker was fully loaded with approximately 1.8-2 million barrels of Venezuelan crude oil of the Merey grade. At the time of detention, the tanker was also listed as "stateless" due to its sanctioned status. As of January 10, 2026, the vessel was heading for the US coast under the escort of the US Coast Guard.
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