Marine vessels

The tanker is involved in the export of russian oil, including to the EU, in violation of the G7 and EU oil embargo. In particular, the tanker exported russian crude oil twice in June 2023 to EU countries in violation of EU and G7 oil embargo from the port of Tuapse (russia) to the Gulf of Lakonikos (Greece). The vessel affiliated with the beneficiaries of the sanctioned shipping company Hennesea Holdings Limited (UAE), founded in late 2022, operating in the maritime sector of the russian economy. Shortly before the entry into force of the price-cap policy, Hennesea acquired old tankers transporting russian crude oil and oil products and entering russian ports. In January 2024, USA imposed sanctions to vessels affiliated with the beneficiaries of Hennesea.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian oil, including to the EU in violation of the G7 and EU oil embargo, in particular, from the port of Tuapse (russia) to the EU via raid transshipment in October 2023. The vessel affiliated with the beneficiaries of the sanctioned shipping company Hennesea Holdings Limited (UAE), founded in late 2022, operating in the maritime sector of the russian economy. Shortly before the entry into force of the price-cap policy, Hennesea acquired old tankers transporting russian crude oil and oil products and entering russian ports. In January 2024, USA imposed sanctions to vessels affiliated with the beneficiaries of Hennesea.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian oil/oil products, including to the EU in violation of the G7 and EU oil embargo, in particular, from the port of Tuapse to EU countries via transvesselment in May 2023. The vessel affiliated with the beneficiaries of the sanctioned shipping company Hennesea Holdings Limited (UAE), founded in late 2022, operating in the maritime sector of the russian economy. Shortly before the entry into force of the price-cap policy, Hennesea acquired old tankers transporting russian crude oil and oil products and entering russian ports. In January 2024, USA imposed sanctions to vessels affiliated with the beneficiaries of Hennesea.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian oil/oil products, including to the EU in violation of the G7 and EU oil embargo, in particular, from the port of Tuapse (russia) to the EU via transshipment in June 2023. The vessel affiliated with the beneficiaries of the sanctioned shipping company Hennesea Holdings Limited (UAE), founded in late 2022, operating in the maritime sector of the russian economy. Shortly before the entry into force of the price-cap policy, Hennesea acquired old tankers transporting russian crude oil and oil products and entering russian ports. In January 2024, USA imposed sanctions to vessels affiliated with the beneficiaries of Hennesea.

The vessel is involved in violation of the G7 and EU oil embargo on russian oil and export of russian oil from russian ports, including to EU ports (Laconikos Gulf). The vessel is affiliated with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia for servicing and supporting offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian oil, oil products and liquefied natural gas. The main charterers of Sovcomflot's vessels are russia's largest oil and gas companies and traders. 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 imposition of sanctions, 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. The tankers 're-registered' by Sovcomflot to related companies, according to expert estimates, 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. The tanker is managed by Invest Fleet LLC, a russian company established in December 2023. Invest Fleet LLC is managed by the russian LLC SCF Arctica, a subsidiary of the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot. In February 2024, USA imposed sanctions on 14 vessels (including ІМО 9312896) affiliated with the sanctioned company Sovcomflot as part of measures to reduce russia's oil revenues. In June 2024, EU sanctions were imposed on the vessel, in October 2024 the vessel was sanctioned by Switzerland. On November 25, 2024, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on a tanker in connection with the transportation of russian oil/oil products from the russian federation to a third country as part of the restrictions on the russian shadow fleet. On February 21, 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

It is involved in the transportation of russian crude oil in violation of the G7 and EU oil embargo on russian oil. The vessel transported russian crude oil of the Urals grade from russian ports in the Baltic Sea to EU countries. In June 2024, the vessel reloaded russian oil onto another tanker in the Mediterranean Sea in neutral waters near the Moroccan city of Nador. In June-July 2024, UK and EU imposed sanctions on the vessel in connection with its involvement in the transportation of russian oil and/or petroleum products from the russian federation to third countries. Following the sanctions, the vessel, along with other sanctioned tankers, was anchored approximately 80 miles from the Estonian port of Tallinn. The area is a popular destination for tankers waiting to load cargo at Baltic Sea ports. On October 17, 2024, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel in response to the transportation of oil/oil products originating from russia or exported from russia, using irregular and high-risk shipping practices, as specified in the resolution of the General Assembly of the International Maritime Organization A.1192(33). On February 21, 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

It is involved in the transportation of russian crude oil from russian ports to third countries and the violation of the G7 and EU oil embargo on russian oil in April 2023 (transportation to the Greek port of Laconikos Gulf), in particular, in August-September 2022, April 2023 (to the Greek port of Laconikos Gulf), January-February, April-May 2024 (to the Indian port of Chennai). 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 tanker is affiliated with the sanctioned company Radiating World Shipping Services LLC (UAE), which is considered one of the leading operators of the shadow fleet, and in early 2023 was one of the three largest carriers of russian oil along with Fractal Marine Shipping (UAE), Gatik Ship Management (India), and played a significant role in the export of russian oil to countries around the world during the period of sanctions restrictions. After United Kingdom applied sanctions in December 2023 to the former manager of the vessel, the operator of the 'shadow fleet' - Radiating World shipping Services LLC (UAE), the latst one, in order to avoid sanctions, transferred its tankers to other newly created companies, including the Dubai company Breath shipping Services LLC, the Indian company Atos Remote Solutions. In July 2024, UK imposed sanctions on a vessel in connection with its involvement in the transportation of russian oil and/or petroleum products from the russian federation to third countries. On February 21, 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel. On February 24, March 04, 2025 EU and Switzerland respectively imposed sanctions on the tanker for transporting crude oil/oil products originating in or exported from russia using irregular and high-risk shipping practices as specified in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly resolution A.1192 (33) (EU sanctions will enter into force on February 25, 2025).

It is involved in the transportation of russian oil from russian ports to third countries in violation of the oil embargo, in particular in April-June 2024 (from the russian ports of Tuapse and Novorossiysk to the Greek port of the Gulf of Lakonikos and the Turkish port of Diliskelesi). Earlier in April 2023, the vessel also transported crude oil and oil products from russian ports in the Black Seas. The vessel is owned and managed by Elizario Shipping Inc (Mauritius), whose fleet consists of this vessel only. This company is another owner and commercial manager of the oil tanker from the "shadow fleet". Until at least the end of July 2024, the ISM-manager of the vessel was the Turkish company Unic Tanker Ship Management, which managed nine oil and chemical tankers received from the Indian company Gatik Ship Management, an affiliate of the russian oil giant PJSC Oil Company Rosneft and associated with the "shadow fleet" used by russia to export oil to circumvent sanctions. Gatik Ship Management has become the largest carrier of russian oil since the beginning of the full-scale war against Ukraine. The company was used to operate russia's "shadow fleet" of oil transport, and the British regulator Lloyd's Register has withdrawn the certification of 21 of the company's vessels. A major insurance company, American Club (USA), also announced that it no longer provides coverage for Gatik vessels. In June 2024, EU imposed sanctions on the vessel due to its involvement in the transportation of russian oil and/or oil products from russia to third countries, as well as its participation in the circumvention of european restrictions. On October 17, 2024, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel in response to the transportation of oil/oil products originating from russia or exported from russia, using irregular and high-risk shipping practices, as specified in the resolution of the General Assembly of the International Maritime Organization A.1192(33). On February 24, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The vessel is involved in the transportation of russian oil from russian ports to third countries and violation of the G7 and EU oil embargo on russian oil. The vessel has been recorded by the Monitoring Group of the Institute for Black Sea Strategic Studies and the BlackSeaNews editorial board as a violator of the embargo on the import of russian crude oil. In particular, the facts of the vessel's participation in the transportation of russian oil were recorded in January 2023 (from the russian port of Tuapse to the Turkish port of Mersin), in February 2023 (from the russian port of Taman to the Greek ports of the Gulf of Lakonikos and Agio Theodoroi), and in June 2024 (from the russian port of Ust-Luga to the Turkish port of Tuzla). The vessel is owned by Wasp Navigation Co, with Sun Ship Management and Oil Tankers Scf Mgmt Fzco among the former managers, are affiliated with the sanctioned Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia, a key company for servicing and supporting offshore extraction of hydrocarbons, transportation of russian oil, oil products, and LNG. The services provided by Sovcomflot are a significant source of income for the russian federation, as more than 70% of russia's revenues come from the sale of energy, 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 affiliated 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 natural gas under western sanctions. In June 2024, EU imposed sanctions on the vessel in connection with its support for the development of the russian energy sector. On October 17, 2024, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel in connection with promoting, supporting actions or policies aimed at the operation, development or expansion of the energy sector in russia, including energy infrastructure. On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.

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. According to the American human rights group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), which monitors Iran-related tanker traffic using satellite data, the vessel was involved in the transportation of Iranian oil and has switched to transporting russian oil since October 2024. Since the beginning of russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, more than 90 vessels that previously helped Tehran export Iranian export oil are now helping russia transport russian oil/oil products. In May 2022, UANI first predicted that russia would turn to a 'ghost armada' to ensure oil flows to its Chinese partner. The tanker is affiliated with Delnaz Ship Management Sdn Bhd, which was sanctioned by USA on October 11, 2024 for providing material, sponsorship or financial, material or technological support, or goods or services to support the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) within the framework of expanding restrictions on the oil and petrochemical sector of Iran. On October 11, 2024, USA imposed sanctions on the tanker as a property in which Delnaz Ship Management Sdn Bhd has an interest.

The tanker is involved in violation of the G7 and EU oil embargo on the export of russian crude oil to the EU and the export of russian oil to third countries. The vessel exported russian crude oil from the russian port of Primorsk in the Baltic Sea in May 2024 and transported it to a transshipment point near the port of Nador (Morocco) and the Spanish port of Melilla. 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 along with other UAE-based companies - Alqutb Alshamali Marine, Almuhit Alhadi Marine, Oceanlink Maritime, Symphony Marine - to which tankers carrying russian oil (oil products) were 'registered', managed, in particular, by one of the leading operators of the so-called 'shadow' fleet - the sanctioned company Radiating World Shipping Services. 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. On October 17, 2024, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on tankers of the russian so-called 'shadow' fleet, including the tanker ІМО 9285835. On February 21, 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel. On February 24, March 04, 2025 EU and Switzerland respectively imposed sanctions on the tanker for transporting crude oil/oil products originating in or exported from russia using irregular and high-risk shipping practices as specified in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly resolution A.1192 (33); promoting or supporting actions/policies aimed at the exploitation, development or expansion of the energy sector in russia, including energy infrastructure (EU sanctions will enter into force on February 25, 2025).

The tanker is involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports in the Black Sea, Baltic Sea, and Pacific region to third countries, as well as to the EU countries in violation of the G7 and EU oil embargo on russian oil. In particular, in December 2023, the vessel transported russian oil from the port of Novorossiysk ( russia) to the EU countries through a transshipment in the Lakonikos Bay. The vessel is certified by the Indian regulator Indian Register of Shipping (IACS). The international public organization Greenpeace refers to the tanker as a shadowy fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment. The tanker 'PAGOS' 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 Galena Ship Management, which is affiliated with Gatik, which in 2023, together with Caishan Ship Management, Gaurik Ship Management LLP, Plutos Ship Management, Geras Ship Management, Girik Ship Management, Orion Ship Management LLP, Nautilus Shipping (India), Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagement LLC, Zidan Ship Management, was involved in a scheme to 'juggle' vessels operated by Gatik Ship Management to avoid sanctions. Gatik Ship Management and Galena Ship Management were the previous managers of the tanker 'PAGOS'. 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.