Marine vessels

The tanker is involved in the export of sanctioned russian crude oil/oil products from russian ports to third countries using deceptive, high-risk practices, and calls at the ports of the TOT of Ukraine. On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on a vessel that considered as a part of the shadow fleet. According to GISIS IMO data, as of July 17, 2025, the vessel's flag is unknown. At the same time, the vessel uses the flag of Panama.

During the period of the G7+ oil embargo and price-cap policy on russian crude oil/oil products, the tanker ss involved in the transportation of russian crude oil/oil products from russian ports in the Baltic, Black Seas, and Pacific regions. The vessel called at a russian port, where the price of oil was constantly trading above the price cap. The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of the shadow fleet of tankers that transport russian oil around the world and threaten the environment. The vessel is affiliated with Noblefu Company Limited, which was sanctioned by USA on January 10, 2025 for its activities in the energy sector of the russian economy. On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel, which is considered to be part of the shadow fleet, as a property in which Noblefu Company Limited has an interest. According to GISIS IMO data as of July 15, 2025, the vessel's registration name is AULIS, and the flag is designated as "Curacao False". From July 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions on a tanker for transporting crude oil/petroleum products that originate in russia or are exported from russia using irregular and high-risk shipping practices as set out in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly resolution A.1192 (33). On August 12, 2025, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/oil products from russian ports in the Black and Azov Seas, mainly to Turkey, using deceptive practices (disabling AIS, spoofing), including in the Kerch Strait, and calls at ports in the TOT of Crimea, in particular, the port of Feodosia. On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel. From July 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions on a tanker for transporting crude oil/petroleum products that originate in russia or are exported from russia using irregular and high-risk shipping practices as set out in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly resolution A.1192 (33). On August 12, 2025, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is involved in the export of sanctioned russian crude oil/oil products from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas to third countries, and makes calls to the ports of the TOT of Ukraine. The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of the shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment. On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel. After the vessel was sanctioned, the tanker changed its name, flag country, and management. From May 21, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions on the tanker for the transportation of crude oil/petroleum products originating in or exported from russia, using irregular high-risk shipping practices as specified in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly Resolution A.1192(33). On 18 July 2025, the EU amended the sanctions. On June 03, 2025, the sanctions imposed by Switzerland on the vessel came into force. As of July 12, 2025, the sanctioned tanker is drifting off Greece. According to GISIS IMO, as of early July 2025, the vessel's flag is marked as "Guinea False". On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian oil/oil products from russian ports in the Azov and Black Seas, mainly to Turkey and Egypt, uses deceptive practices (AIS shutdown, spoofing), including in the Kerch Strait area, calls at the port of Crimea (a port on the shore of the Kerch Strait, located near the village of Zhukovka, is part of the Kerch ferry service (the line from the port of Crimea to the port of Kavkaz), in 2014-2015 the port was dredged, which increased the capacity of the line), the port of Kerch in the TOT of Crimea. The vessel is affiliated with the russian company Middle-Volga Shipping Company LLC (under Ukrainian sanctions), which is a supplier to the sanctioned Rosnefteflot JSC (at least under two contracts worth 94.4 million rubles) within the russian state procurement system. Rosnefteflot JSC is a part of the group of the sanctioned russian PJSC Rosneft Oil Company, a russian state-owned oil and gas company, one of the world's largest oil producers. The main activities of Rosnefteflot JSC are, in particular, the chartering of the tanker fleet for the benefit of Rosneft, organization of river transportation in the interests of Rosneft in the Volga-Don, Azov-Don, Volga and Volga-Baltic basins. The owner and manager of the vessel is the Maltese company Hai Ocean Shipping Co Ltd, which is associated, in particular, with russian citizen Mikhail Slobodov as one of the two owners of the company.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian oil/oil products from russian ports in the Black and Azov Seas, mainly to Turkey and Egypt, and uses deceptive practices (disabling AIS), including in the Kerch Strait area, calls at the port n the TOT of Crimea (the port on the shores of the Kerch Strait, located near the village of Zhukivka, is part of the Kerch ferry service (the line from the port of Crimea to the port of Caucasus), in 2014-2015 the port was dredged, which increased the capacity of the line). The vessel is owned by the russian company Middle-Volga Shipping Company LLC (under Ukrainian sanctions), which is a supplier to the sanctioned Rosnefteflot JSC (under at least two contracts worth 94.4 million rubles) within the russian state procurement system. Rosnefteflot JSC is a part of the group of the sanctioned russian PJSC Rosneft Oil Company, a russian state-owned oil and gas company, one of the world's largest oil producers. The main activities of Rosnefteflot JSC are, in particular, chartering of the tanker fleet for the benefit of Rosneft, organization of river transportation in the interests of Rosneft in the Volga-Don, Azov-Don, Volga and Volga-Baltic basins.

During the period of the G7+ oil embargo, the price cap policy on russian crude oil/oil products, the tanker is involved in the transportation of russian crude oil/oil products, in particular from russian ports in the Black Sea, and engages in deceptive, high-risk practices with AIS disabled, in particular in the Kerch Strait (a transshipment hub where STS operations for russian crude oil/oil products are organized). In March-May 2023, the tanker was involved in the export of several batches of oil products from the russian port of Tuapse, the shipper of the cargoes was Amur Trading FZCO, the sanctioned PJSC Oil Company Rosneft, and the recipient was Tejarinaft FZCO. There is a production complex in Tuapse belonging to the sanctioned Rosneft - the Tuapse Refinery with a marine terminal. The vessel is affiliated with Maritas Fleet PVT LTD (India), which was the former ISM manager of the tanker. Maritas Fleet PVT LTD was founded in December 2022 in Mumbai. This company is associated with the ISM management of tankers affiliated with the sanctioned company Hennesea Holdings Limited (UAE), which shortly before the price cap policy came into force acquired 18 oil tankers transporting russian sanctioned crude oil/oil products and was sanctioned by USA for violation of the price cap. The vessel is operated by Avision Shipping Services Private Limited (IMO 6454662), which was sanctioned by USA on January 10, 2025. On January 10, 2025, the USA imposed sanctions on the vessel. On May 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions, which will enter into force on May 21, 2025, on the tanker for the transportation of crude oil/petroleum products originating in or exported from russia, using irregular high-risk shipping practices as specified in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly Resolution A.1192(33). On June 03, 2025, the sanctions imposed by Switzerland on the vessel came into force. On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker, during the period of the G7+ oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/oil products, is involved in the transportation of crude oil/oil products from russian ports in the Black Sea using deceptive, high-risk practices (turning off AIS, in particular, in the Kerch Strait area). The vessel calls at the ports of the TOT of Crimea (Komysh-Burun, Feodosia). The tanker is affiliated through the sanctioned companies SCF Management Services Cyprus (Cyprus), Sun Ship Management (UAE), Oil Tankers SCF MGMT FZCO (UAE), Fornax Ship Management FZCO (UAE) with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia that services and provides offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian crude oil, petroleum products and liquefied gas. The major charterers of PJSC Sovcomflot's vessels are russia's largest oil and gas companies and traders. PJSC Sovcomflot is involved in servicing major oil and gas projects in russia: Sakhalin-1, Sakhalin-2, Varandey, Prirazlomnoye, Novy Port, Yamal LNG and others. Since September 2024, the commercial manager of the tanker has been the Turkish company Golden Gate Ship Management Ltd and the ISM manager is the Turkish company Pier Denizcilik Ve Ticaret Ltd. These Turkish companies manage another tanker IMO 9292046, affiliated through the sanctioned companies SCF Management Services Cyprus (Cyprus), Sun Ship Management (UAE), Oil Tankers SCF MGMT FZCO (UAE), Fornax Ship Management FZCO (UAE) with PJSC Sovcomflot. After the sanctions were imposed, PJSC Sovcomflot transferred dozens of vessels to the ownership of companies it created, including in foreign jurisdictions, in order to circumvent them, and started the practice of constantly 'juggling' (transferring) vessels to related companies. Tankers 're-registered' by PJSC Sovcomflot to related companies continue to transport russian crude oil/oil products under Western sanctions. On April 11, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of vessel IMO 9258167. On May 09, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker as part of the restrictions on the shadow fleet of the russian federation, including for engaging in activities aimed at destabilizing Ukraine, undermining/threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine or benefiting from or supporting the government of russia, and participating in the transportation of crude oil/petroleum products of russian origin, in particular, from russia to a third country. In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel. From July 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions on a tanker for transporting crude oil/petroleum products that originate in russia or are exported from russia using irregular and high-risk shipping practices as set out in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly resolution A.1192 (33). On August 12, 2025, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker, during the period of the G7+ oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/oil products, is involved in the export of russian crude oil/oil products mainly from russian ports in the Black Sea (Tuapse, Novorossiysk, Taman (Zhelezny Rog)), using high-risk, deceptive practices (turning off AIS, STS transmissions near Greece). The tanker also calls at the port of Komysh-Burun in the TOT of Crimea of Ukraine. On January 20, 2025, near Greece, where the tanker IMO 9255830 arrived from the Kerch Strait with AIS turned off, an STS transmission took place with the tanker IMO 9402732 of the VLCC class, affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management, which in 2022-2023 was one of the top players in the shadow tanker fleet involved in the export of russian crude oil/oil products under Western sanctions. On February 08, 2025, an STS transfer of russian crude oil/oil products exported from the port of Tuapse in the Black Sea took place near Greece with the same tanker IMO 9402732 of the VLCC class. On May 09, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker as part of the restrictions on the shadow fleet of the russian federation, including for engaging in activities aimed at destabilizing Ukraine, undermining/threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine or benefiting from or supporting the government of russia, and participating in the transportation of crude oil/petroleum products of russian origin, in particular, from russia to a third country. In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel. From July 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions on a tanker for transporting crude oil/petroleum products that originate in russia or are exported from russia using irregular and high-risk shipping practices as set out in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly resolution A.1192 (33). On August 12, 2025, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker during the period of the G7+ oil embargo, the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products, in particular, from russian ports in the Black Sea, systematic deceptive, high-risk practices (disabling AIS, in particular, in the Kerch Strait area in the Black Sea). In December 2024, the tanker entered the port of Komysh-Burun in the TOT of Crimea with AIS turned off. In February 2025, in September-October 2024, near Greece, a tanker that arrived from the Kerch Strait, where it had been conducting so-called "dark activities" for 7 days, and the port of Tuapse, respectively, conducted STS transmissions with the tanker IMO 9402732 of the VLCC class, 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/petroleum products under Western sanctions in 2022-2023. Transshipment of crude oil/petroleum products of russian origin by STS method allows to conceal the ownership and origin of the cargo, legalize their supply to EU countries, USA and other countries. In turn, the sale of crude oil/petroleum products on the world market allows accumulating significant financial resources in the state budget of the russian federation, which are used, among other things, to build up the military potential of the aggressor state and to provide material support for russia's military operations on the territory of Ukraine. In October 2024, STS transmissions were made in the Kerch Strait area with tanker IMO 9353125, affiliated with Gatik Ship Management, and tanker IMO 9315446, which was sanctioned by USA on January 10, 2025, as a tanker considered part of the shadow fleet, calling at a russian port where oil is constantly trading above the upper price cap. In October 2023, the tanker was involved in the export of a batch of petroleum products (over 30 thousand tons) from the russian port of Tuapse by order of Tejarinaft FZCO, the shipper of the cargo was Amur Trading FZCO. There is a production complex in Tuapse belonging to the sanctioned Rosneft - the Tuapse Refinery with a marine terminal. On May 09, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker as part of the restrictions on the shadow fleet of the russian federation, including for engaging in activities aimed at destabilizing Ukraine, undermining/threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine or benefiting from or supporting the government of russia, and participating in the transportation of crude oil/petroleum products of russian origin, in particular, from russia to a third country. On May 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions, which will enter into force on May 21, 2025, on the tanker for the transportation of crude oil/petroleum products originating in or exported from russia, using irregular high-risk shipping practices as specified in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly Resolution A.1192(33). On June 03, 2025, the sanctions imposed by Switzerland on the vessel came into force. In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel. According to GISIS IMO data, as of July 17, 2025, the vessel's flag is unknown. At the same time, the vessel sails under the flag of Panama.

The tanker during the period of the G7+ oil embargo, the price cap policy on russian crude oil / petroleum products is involved in the export of russian crude oil / petroleum products, in particular, from russian ports in the Black Sea, conducting deceptive, high-risk practices (turning off AIS, in particular, in the Kerch Strait area in the Black Sea). In 2025, the tanker called at the Sheskharis oil terminal (Novorossiysk port), which is a transshipment complex, the end point of the main pipelines of Chernomortransneft JSC (TIN 2315072242, under USA sanctions), a subsidiary of the sanctioned russian Transneft PJSC (TIN 7706061801). In March 2025, the tanker called at the port of Kamysh-Burun in the TOT of Ukraine. In May 2024, STS transmissions took place near Romania with the tanker IMO 9220938, which was subject to USA sanctions in October 2024 for illegal supplies of Iranian oil, and the tanker IMO 9637973, affiliated with the russian company Volgotrans LLC, which is under Ukrainian sanctions. Transshipment of crude oil / petroleum products of russian origin at sea using the STS method allows concealing the ownership and origin of the cargo, legalizing their supply to the EU, USA and other countries. In turn, the sale of crude oil / petroleum products on the world market allows accumulating significant financial resources in the state budget of the russian federation, which are used, among other things, to build up the military potential of the aggressor state and material support for russia's military operations on the territory of Ukraine. The vessel is affiliated with the sanctioned company Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE), one of the leading operators of the so-called shadow fleet involved in the export of russian crude oil / petroleum products in 2022-2023. The shipping company Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE) was established shortly before the G7 countries adopted 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. Fractal Marine DMCC operated a fleet of 28 tankers as an intermediary between ship owners and charterers. After the sanctions were imposed, Fractal Marine 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. Thus, the tankers previously managed by Fractal Marine DMCC were transferred to new management companies, in particular, Zulu Ships Management (UAE). The vessels managed by Zulu Ships Management continue to export russian crude oil / petroleum products. The tanker IMO 9298492 is managed by Zulu Ships Management, which also operates other tankers affiliated with Fractal Marine DMCC, some of which call at the ports of the TOT of Ukraine. The vessel, IMO 9298492, is part of a vast shipping empire controlled by Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, the son of Ali Shamkhani, the chief political advisor to the Supreme Leader of Iran. Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani uses corruption through his father's political influence at the highest levels of the Iranian regime to build and operate a huge fleet of tankers and container ships. This network transports oil and petroleum products from Iran and russia, as well as other cargoes, to buyers around the world, generating tens of billions of dollars in profits. The Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani network consists of a huge fleet of ships, ship management firms and front companies that launder billions of dollars in profits from global sales of Iranian and russian crude oil and petroleum products, mostly to buyers in China. The network takes significant steps to disguise its operations and obfuscate its ties to the Shamkhani family, Iran, and russia. BPT Shipping Co LLC (UAE), Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE), Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ (UAE), The Zulu Ships Management and Operation - Sole Proprietorship LLC (UAE), with which the tanker IMO 9298492 is affiliated, are among the companies that have played a significant role in the management and operation of the Shamkhani tanker fleet. On July 30, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the tanker IMO 9298492.

During the period of the G7+ oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, the tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas, and in high-risk, deceptive practices, in particular, in the Kerch Strait area in the Black Sea (disabling AIS, making STS transmissions). In December 2024 and January 2025, the tanker called at the port of Komysh-Burun in the TOT of Crimea. In January 2025, STS transmissions were made in the Kerch Strait area in the Black Sea with the sanctioned tanker IMO 9252400 (on October 17, 2024, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel for illegal supplies of Iranian oil), with the tanker IMO 9224441 (affiliated through related companies with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia for servicing and supporting offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian crude oil, petroleum products, liquefied natural gas), which is involved in high-risk, deceptive practices in the Kerch Strait area and in December 2024 was supposed to receive fuel oil from the Volgoneft-212 tanker that sank in the Kerch Strait due to damage caused by a storm, which led to an environmental disaster, including in the temporarily occupied Crimea, due to a fuel oil spill. STS transmissions with the tanker IMO 9224441 in the Kerch Strait area also took place in December 2024. The tanker is affiliated with Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE, under UK sanctions for its involvement in servicing the energy sector of the russian economy). Fractal Marine DMCC is considered to be one of the leading operators of the so-called shadow fleet involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products under Western sanctions in 2022-2023. The shipping company Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE) was established shortly before the G7 countries introduced a price-cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products and played a significant role in the transportation of russian crude oil/petroleum products under sanctions restrictions. The tanker is also affiliated with Macario Shipping LLC (UAE), which fleet participated in the sanctioned trade. As of early March 2025, only the tanker IMO 9282041 remained under the management of Macario Shipping LLC. The commercial management of the tanker from February 22 to May 2024 was carried out by the Turkish company Westanker Ltd, which is included in the list of 11 "players" in the Turkish segment of the russian shadow fleet management, which in total have managed almost 50 tankers since the beginning of 2024 and helped russia to circumvent the price cap on russian crude oil/petroleum products. Thus, six oil tankers IMO 9308077, IMO 9321677, IMO 9282508, IMO 9390587, IMO 9413004, IMO 9326885, which were operated by the sanctioned company Fractal Marine DMCC, were transferred to the management of the Turkish company Westanker Ltd on the same day (February 22, 2024). In 2024, all six tankers were actively involved in the transportation of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Black sea, Baltic and Arctic regions of russia. The safety management of the tanker from February 2023 to February 2025 was carried out by Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ (UAE), which also managed 19 other vessels affiliated with Fractal Marine DMCC. In particular, on January 10, 2025, the 19-year-old tanker IMO 9308065, safety management of which was provided by Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ, loaded with russian oil (99 thousand tons) in the port of Ust-Luga, lost control in the Baltic Sea. According to the German Havariekommando, the vessel's power supply system and engine failed, the ship lost its ability to maneuver and began to drift at low speed in the open sea near the island of Rügen. This incident once again demonstrates the growing threat of oil spills by outdated shadow fleet vessels. As of July 17, 2025, the safety management of the tanker is carried out by Tarabya Logistics Ltd (UAE). As of July 17, 2025, Tarabya Logistics Ltd provides safety management of 13 non-sanctioned oil tankers (12 tankers are affiliated with Fractal Marine DMCC, one is affiliated with russian PJSC Sovcomflot), which have P&I Club insurance and transport russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Baltic, Black Seas, Pacific region mainly to India, China, including with the use of deceptive practices. Tarabya Logistics Ltd also carried out ISM management of the tanker IMO 9282493 from January to April 2025. After the sanctions were imposed on the vessel in February 2025, the security management of tanker IMO 9282493 was transferred to the Indian company VANSHIP MARITIME PVT LTD, incorporated in August 2024 and with a fleet of only one vessel.