Marine Vessels

The tanker, during the period of the G7+ oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil and petroleum products, is involved in the export of russian petroleum products—specifically from russian ports on the Black Sea—and is engaged in deceptive, high-risk practices (such as the deactivation of AIS, particularly in the area of the Kerch Strait in the Black Sea).
In 2025, the tanker made calls at the Sheshkharis oil terminal (Port of Novorossiysk), which is a transshipment complex and the terminus of the main pipelines of JSC "Chernomortransneft" (TIN 2315072242, under U.S. sanctions)—a subsidiary of the sanctioned russian PJSC "Transneft" (TIN 7706061801).
In March 2025, the tanker called at the port of Kamysh-Burun in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.
In May 2024, STS transfers took place near Romania involving the tanker IMO 9220938, which was subject to U.S. sanctions in October 2024 for illegal shipments of Iranian oil, and the tanker IMO 9637973, affiliated with the russian company Volgotrans LLC, which is subject to Ukrainian sanctions.
The transshipment at sea of russian-origin crude oil and petroleum products using the STS method makes it possible to conceal ownership and the origin of the cargo, and to legalize their supply to the EU, the U.S., and other countries. In turn, the sale of oil and petroleum products on the global market allows the russian federation to accumulate significant financial resources in its state budget, which are used, among other things, to build up the military capabilities of the aggressor state and to provide material support for russia’s military operations on the territory of Ukraine.
In February 2025, the tanker exported 106.16 barrels of russian petroleum products from Novorossiysk to Egypt.
In March 2025, the vessel exported 146.7 barrels of russian petroleum products from the port of Taman to Syria (Baniyas); the seller of the cargo was Slavyansk ECO (LLC "Slavyansk ECO," TIN 2370000496).
In April 2025, the tanker exported 331,700 barrels of petroleum products from the "Sheshkharis" terminal at the port of Novorossiysk to Turkey (Marmara).
Also, in April and May 2025, the vessel exported 230,800 and 231,500 barrels of petroleum products of the Ilyskiy Refinery (TIN 2308128110), respectively, from the Sheshkharis terminal at the Port of Novorossiysk to Turkey (Marmara).
In June 2025, the tanker exported several shipments of petroleum products of the Ilyskiy Refinery from the "Sheshkharis" terminal at the Port of Novorossiysk: 164,200 barrels to Benin and 83,800 barrels to Togo (Lomé). Also in June 2025, the vessel exported petroleum products from the "Sheshkharis" terminal at the port of Novorossiysk to Ghana.
In December 2025, the tanker shipped several batches of petroleum products of the Ilyskiy Refinery (165,900, 55,300, and 82,900 barrels) from the Sheshkharis terminal at the Port of Novorossiysk for export.
The vessel is affiliated with the sanctioned company Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE)—one of the leading operators in 2022–2023 of the so-called shadow fleet involved in the export of russian crude oil and petroleum products.
The shipping company Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE) was established shortly before the G7 countries imposed a price cap on russian oil following russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and played a significant role in the transportation of russian oil. Fractal Marine DMCC managed a fleet of 28 tankers as an intermediary between ship owners and charterers.
After being sanctioned, Fractal Marine DMCC attempted to appeal the sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom but lost in court. Following this, the company "transferred" its fleet to other companies. Thus, the tankers previously managed by Fractal Marine DMCC were transferred to new management companies, specifically The Zulu Ships Management & Operation - Sole Proprietorship LLC (UAE).
The management of the tanker IMO 9298492 from October 2024 to July 2025 was carried out by The Zulu Ships Management & Operation - Sole Proprietorship LLC.
The vessel IMO 9298492 is part of the vast shipping empire of Iranian oil magnate and major arms supplier to the russian fderation Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani.
Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani’s network consists of a vast fleet of vessels, ship management companies, and front companies that launder billions in profits from global sales of Iranian and russian crude oil and petroleum products, most often to buyers in China. The network takes significant measures to conceal its operations and obscure its ties to the Shamkhani family, Iran, and russia.
The companies BPT Shipping Co LLC (UAE), Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE), Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ (UAE), and The Zulu Ships Management and Operation - Sole Proprietorship LLC (UAE), with which the tanker IMO 9298492 is affiliated, are among a number of companies that have played a significant role in the management and operation of the Shamkhani network’s tanker fleet.
On July 30, 2025, the United States imposed sanctions on the tanker IMO 9298492.
In April 2026, the EU imposed sanctions on the vessel.
As of April 29, 2026, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

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 linked to sanctioned companies Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE), Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ (UAE), which managed the vessel in 2023-2024.
Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE) is considered one of the leading operators of the shadow fleet, which in early 2023 was among the three largest carriers of russian crude oil, together with Radiating World Shipping Services LLC (UAE) and Gatik Ship Management (India), and played a significant role in the export of the russian crude oil to countries around the world during the period of sanctions restrictions. Fractal Marine DMCC managed a fleet of 28 tankers as an intermediary between shipowners and charterers.
Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE), Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ (UAE) are part of a shipping empire controlled by the sanctioned Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, son of Ali Shamkhani, the chief political advisor to Iran's supreme leader. Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani uses his father's political influence to corrupt top-level officials in the Iranian regime in order to build and operate a huge fleet of tankers and container ships. This fleet transports crude 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. Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani's shipping empire consists of a vast fleet of vessels, ship management companies, and front companies that launder billions of dollars in profits from the global sale of Iranian and russian crude oil and petroleum products, mostly to buyers in the PRC. The shipping empire takes significant measures to conceal its operations and obscure its ties to the Shamkhani family, Iran, and russia.
Fractal Marine DMCC has played an important role in the management and operation of the tanker and container ship fleet of Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani's shipping network. Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ (UAE) provides operational services for Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani's shipping network fleet.
Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ provided technical management of the vessel IMO 9308065, which was involved in an incident in the Baltic Sea due to technical malfunctions. On January 10, 2025, the vessel IMO 9308065, 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, it 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.
The tanker is also linked to the management in 2025 by Tarabya Logistics Ltd (UAE), which in July and August 2025 was sanctioned by the EU and Switzerland, respectively, for managing vessels that engaged in illicit and high-risk shipping practices (sailing with gaps in automatic identification systems and high-risk ship-to-ship transshipments) while transporting oil of russian origin or exported from russia.
After sanctions were imposed on Tarabya Logistics Ltd, another change in the ship's management took place.

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, in particular, from russian ports in the Black Sea, and in deceptive, high-risk practices (turning off AIS, in particular, in the Kerch Strait area in the Black Sea).
The tanker called at the port of Komysh-Burun of the TOT of Ukraine in February 2015.
The tanker makes frequent calls to the port of the russian Taman terminal of the LPG, crude oil and oil products transshipment complex.
In April 2023, an STS transfer took place near Greece with the tanker IMO 9274434 (under USA and UK sanctions), affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management, one of the leading operators of the shadow fleet involved in the transportation of russian crude oil under Western sanctions, and the Gatik-related company Orion Ship Management LLP, which in 2023, together with Caishan Ship Management, Plutos Ship Management, Gaurik Ship Management LLP, Geras Ship Management, Girik Ship Management, Galena Ship Management, Nautilus Shipping (India), Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment LLC, Zidan Ship Management, was involved in a scheme to 'juggle' vessels operated by Gatik Ship Management to avoid sanctions.
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/oil 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/oil products and played a significant role in the transportation of russian crude oil/oil products under sanctions. After the sanctions were imposed on 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/oil products from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas.
The tanker is managed by Zulu Ships Management, which also operates other tankers affiliated with Fractal Marine DMCC - IMO 9433016, IMO 9387279, IMO 9336490, IMO 9332315, IMO 9328170, IMO 9298492, IMO 9282493, IMO 9282481, IMO 9252955, which call at russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas, while tankers IMO 9332315 and IMO 9298492 also call at the port of Kamysh-Burun in the TOT of Crimea.
The vessel, IMO 9388027, 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 9388027 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 9388027.
In August 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the tanker's master.
Since October 24, 2025, the EU has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Switzerland has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 24, 2026, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since March 25, 2026, Canada has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is involved in the transportation of russian crude oil/petroleum products using deceptive, high-risk practices in the Black Sea.
The vessel calls at the ports of the TOT Crimea of Ukraine, in particular in March and May 2025 (ports Crimea, Komysh-Burun).
The tanker is affiliated with the sanctioned russian company Prime Shipping LLC, which provides ISM management of the vessel.
On February 24, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker as part of the restrictions on the russian shadow fleet.
In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In June 2025, Australia imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since October 30, 2025, New Zealand has imposed sanctions on the tanker.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 21, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of the vessel.
On April, 2026, the EU imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker, during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports using deceptive, high-risk practices (disabling AIS, conducting dark activities, conducting STS transmissions with other tankers, including the russian shadow fleet, near European countries).
The vessel calls at ports in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, in particular at the port of Kamysh-Burun in June 2025.
Since December 2023, the tanker has been owned by Marinequest Corp (IMO 6437580), registered in the Seychelles (Suite 10, 3rd Floor, La Ciotat, Mont Fleuri, Mahe Island Seychelles), which is widely used to register shipping companies with an opaque ownership structure, and in July 2024 the same company became the commercial manager of the vessel. In the period from January to July 2024, the tanker was affiliated with the Moldovan company Surt Ship Management SRL, which was the commercial and technical manager of the vessel during this period. This Moldovan company is one of ten Moldovan companies that played a significant role in the maritime transportation of russian crude oil and petroleum products in 2024. In July 2024, the technical management was transferred to Vvave Minder Shipmanagement (Azerbaijan), while the owner of the tanker did not change, which may indicate that the beneficiary of the vessel has not changed. Since March 2025, the technical management has been transferred to another company from Azerbaijan - Tidal Tech Mariners LLC, whose fleet as of May 26, 2025 consists of four tankers, including sanctioned ones (IMO 926165, IMO 9265873, IMO 9290921, IMO 9384095) involved in maritime trade in russian crude oil/petroleum products.
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.
Since September 18, 2025, Australia has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since October 24, 2025, the EU has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Switzerland has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 20, 2026, New Zealand imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The vessel is affiliated with the russian company Middle-Volga Shipping Company LLC (ООО "Средне-Волжская судоходная компания") – a designated entity under Ukrainian sanctions – which, within the framework of the russian state procurement system, has served as a supplier to the sanctioned Rosnefteflot JSC (АО "Роснефтефлот") under at least two contracts worth a total of 94.4 million rubles. Rosnefteflot JSC is part of the corporate group of the sanctioned russian PJSC Rosneft Oil Company (ПАО "НК "Роснефть""), a state-owned oil and gas company and one of the largest oil producers in the world. The main activities of Rosnefteflot JSC include, in particular, chartering tanker tonnage for PJSC Rosneft Oil Company and organising river transportation in the interests of PJSC Rosneft Oil Company in the Volga– Don, Azov– Don, Volga and Volga– Baltic basins. The fleet of the vessel’s owning company includes other designated vessels.
The tanker has been implicated in bunkering operations in the Kerch Strait area, has made port calls at terminals in the temporarily occupied territory (TOT) of Crimea (Ukraine), and has systematically engaged in dark activity by disabling its Automatic Identification System (AIS) near russian ports in the Sea of Azov, as well as in the Kerch Strait area in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.
In September 2024, in the Kerch Strait area, the tanker bunkered the vessel IMO 9851127 and also bunkered the tanker IMO 9640554, the latter affiliated with the designated russian company Rosewood Shipping LLC (ООО "Роузвуд Шиппинг").

The tanker, over 50 years old, has been implicated in servicing (bunkering) vessels with russian affiliation engaged in grain theft schemes involving the temporarily occupied territory (TOT) of Ukraine, as well as tankers of the russian shadow fleet, particularly in the Kerch Strait area, including through deceptive shipping practices such as disabling the Automatic Identification System (AIS) and conducting dark activity in the Kerch Strait.
In September 2024, in the Kerch Strait area, it bunkered the vessel IMO 9720263, which sails under the russian flag, is subject to U.S. sanctions, and has been involved in the export of Ukrainian grain from the port of Sevastopol (TOT of Crimea, Ukraine) to the Iranian port of Bandar Imam Khomeini, Syria, and Yemen, with AIS switched off in line with a common pattern for concealing port calls to Ukrainian ports in TOT Ukraine.
In August 2024, the tanker IMO 9224441 — affiliated with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot (ПАО "Совкомфлот"), the largest state-owned shipping company in russia engaged in servicing and supporting offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian crude oil, petroleum products, and liquefied gas, whose main charterers are russia’s largest oil and gas companies and traders — was bunkered in the Kerch Strait (for 5 hours). This tanker, in turn, has been involved in exporting russian crude oil to third countries from russian ports, including with AIS disabled, and in ship-to-ship (STS) transfers of russian petroleum products in the Kerch Strait area in the Black Sea for further transport to third countries.
In August 2024, it also bunkered the tanker IMO 9242223, considered part of the russian shadow fleet, which had called at a russian port where oil prices were consistently trading above the G7 price cap; this vessel was designated by the U.S. in January 2025.
In June 2024, in the Kerch Strait area, it bunkered (for 4 hours) the tanker IMO 9198783, which was designated by the U.S. in January 2025 for its links to a sanctioned russian company operating in russia’s energy sector.
The vessel is owned by Middle-Volga Shipping Company LLC (ООО "Средне-Волжская судоходная компания"), which is subject to Ukrainian sanctions and has acted as a supplier within the russian state procurement system to the sanctioned JSC Rosnefteflot (АО "Роснефтефлот") under at least two contracts worth 94.4 million rubles. JSC Rosnefteflot is part of the corporate group of the sanctioned PJSC NK Rosneft (ПАО "НК "Роснефть""), a russian state-owned oil and gas company and one of the world’s largest oil producers. The main activities of JSC Rosnefteflot include, in particular, chartering tanker fleet tonnage in the interests of PJSC NK Rosneft and organizing river transportation for PJSC NK Rosneft in the Volga–Don, Azov–Don, Volga, and Volga–Baltic basins.
The fleet of the vessel’s owning company includes other sanctioned vessels.

The tanker during the period of the G7, EU oil embargo, price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports, as well as bunkering of russian vessels calling at the ports of the TOT of Crimea of Ukraine (in particular, IMO 8852784, IMO 8419635, IMO 9902196, IMO 9875422, IMO 8951396, IMO 9584372).
The tanker is actively engaged in dark activities near the TOT of Crimea of Ukraine, in the Kerch Strait, in the Sea of Azov, and calls at the ports of the TOT of Crimea of Ukraine, in particular, in May 2025 at the port of Komysh-Burun.
The tanker is owned and operated by the russian company Trinity Shipping LLC (TIN 7805318423), which specializes in air, sea, road, and rail transportation of general and groupage cargo.
As of June 14, 2025, the company's fleet includes seven more oil tankers (IMO 9038969, IMO 9166314, IMO 9282986 (sanctioned since May 2025), IMO 9288930 (sanctioned since May 2025), IMO 9585912, IMO 9105140 (sanctioned since May 2025), IMO 9676230) sailing under the russian flag, including the tanker IMO 9676230, which, according to OFAC, was involved in oil supplies to Syria in 2016-2018, affiliated with the russian company Transpectrochart LLC (TIN 7825484443, under USA sanctions). Transpectrochart LLC is affiliated with the sanctioned russian company JSC Sovfracht, one of the largest independent freight forwarding companies in russia, which acts as a key node in the military transport network of russian cargo ships delivering north Korean weapons to russian military facilities for use in the war against Ukraine. Transpetrochart LLC is involved in the supply of jet fuel and oil products from the Feodosia oil depot to the Syrian port of Tartus to supply the russian troops in Syria, including the "Syrian squadron" of the russian navy.
On June 17, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker in connection with the carrying crude oil/petroleum products that originated in russia from russia to a third countries.
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.
On February 19, 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 24, 2026, Australia imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker has been implicated in the export of russian crude oil and petroleum products from ports in the Baltic, Black Seas since October 2023, during the period of the G7 and European Union (EU) oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian-origin crude oil and petroleum products. The vessel has engaged in deceptive and high-risk practices, including dark activities in the Kerch Strait area. In October 2024, it conducted ship-to-ship (STS) transfers in the Kerch Strait with the sanctioned tankers IMO 9212008, IMO 9211999, as well as with tanker IMO 9476771, affiliated with a russian company.
In 2024, under the command of Captains Alexander Grigoriev, Ivan Shashin, and Alexander Peregrudov, the tanker transported crude oil and petroleum products from the russian ports of Ust-Luga and Primorsk to India, Turkey, and China.
The international NGO Greenpeace has identified the vessel as part of the shadow fleet transporting russian oil globally and posing environmental risks. According to United Against Nuclear Iran, the tanker has been involved in the export of Iranian oil and in the carriage of designated russian-origin crude oil and petroleum products.
The vessel calls at the ports in the temporarily occupied Crimean Peninsula of Ukraine, including the port of Kamysh-Burun in June 2025.
The vessel is affiliated with the Moldovan company KSN Shipmanagement SRL, one of ten Moldovan companies that have played a significant role in maritime transportation of russian oil, subsequently transferring management of their tankers to companies in Azerbaijan, while some vessels were transferred to the management of companies in the United Arab Emirates.
On 9 May 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker as part of measures targeting the russian shadow fleet, citing its involvement in activities intended to destabilise Ukraine, undermine or threaten its territorial integrity, sovereignty, or independence, benefit from or support the Government of the russian federation, and participation in the transportation of russian-origin crude oil and petroleum products, including shipments from russia to third countries.
On 20 May 2025, the EU imposed sanctions on the tanker, effective 21 May 2025, for transporting crude oil and/or petroleum products originating in, or exported from, the russian federation while employing irregular and high-risk shipping practices, as defined in International Maritime Organization (IMO) Assembly Resolution A.1192(33).
On 3 June 2025, sanctions imposed by Switzerland on the vessel entered into force.
In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In August 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the tanker's masters.
Since September 18, 2025, Australia has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 20, 2026, New Zealand imposed sanctions on the vessel.

During the G7 and EU oil embargo and 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, including through STS transfers with russian-affiliated vessels, in particular in the Kerch Strait area, using deceptive, high-risk practices (conducting covert activities in the Kerch Strait area and russian ports in the Black Sea).
The vessel calls at ports in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine (Kamysh-Burun, Kerch), in particular in December 2024 and March 2025.
In March 2025 and December 2024, the vessel carried out multiple STS transfers in the area of the Temryuk Bay in the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait with the tanker IMO 9224441, affiliated with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, russia's largest state-owned shipping company providing services and support for offshore hydrocarbon production and the transportation of russian crude oil, petroleum products, and liquefied natural gas. The main charterers of PJSC Sovcomflot vessels are russia's largest oil and gas companies and traders. PJSC Sovcomflot participates in the servicing of major oil and gas projects in russia: Sakhalin-1, Sakhalin-2, Varandey, Prirazlomnoye, Novy Port, Yamal LNG, and others.
The tanker is involved in the transportation of Iranian crude oil/petroleum products (clean Iranian condensate received by ship-to-ship transfer, Iranian methanol, petrochemicals, in particular to East Asian countries).
On May 9, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker as part of restrictions on the russian shadow fleet.
In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since September 18, 2025, Australia has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since October 24, 2025, the EU has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Switzerland has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On January 23, 2026, the US imposed sanctions on the tanker for its activities in Iran's oil sector.
On February 20, 2026, New Zealand imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 21, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of the vessel.

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, the tanker is actively involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas, including with the use of deceptive practices, including in the Kerch Strait area. The vessel calls at the ports of the TOT of Ukraine, in particular, in March 2025, it called at the port of Komysh-Burun (TOT of Crimea of Ukraine).
Since August 2024, the current owner and commercial manager of the tanker is Omni Torrent Ltd, registered in the Seychelles at Suite 10, 3rd Floor, La Ciotat, Mont Fleuri, Mahe Island Seychelles, which is massively used for registration of shipping companies involved in the transportation of russian crude oil/petroleum products. The previous owner and manager of the tanker was Hung Phat Maritime Trading from Vietnam, affiliated with the sanctioned tankers IMO 9223540, IMO 9284594, which, in turn, are affiliated with another company from Vietnam - Sao Viet Petrol Transportation Company Limited, which was sanctioned by USA on January 10, 2025 for its activities in the energy sector of the russian economy.
The technical manager of the vessel since August 2024 is Nautical Unity Shipmanagement (Azerbaijan). As of April 08, 2025, Nautical Unity Shipmanagement manages two more tankers, in addition to the IMO 9260275: IMO 9253076, IMO 9292838. The vessel IMO 9253076 from the Nautical Unity Shipmanagement fleet is classified by the international NGO Greenpeace as a shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world through the Baltic Sea, the Cadet Canal area in the Bay of Mecklenburg and threatening the environment. At the same time, the tanker IMO 9253076, currently managed by Nautical Unity Shipmanagement, is affiliated with Sao Viet Petrol Transportation Company Limited from Vietnam, which is involved in the transportation of sanctioned Iranian oil, which is subject to USA sanctions, as well as Akara Navigation LLC (Azerbaijan), which until February 2025 was responsible for the technical management of the tanker. Akara Navigation LLC, in turn, managed the safety of two other shadow fleet vessels involved in the transportation of sanctioned russian oil, IMO 9233741, IMO 9262924, with the tanker IMO 9262924 identified by the International NGO Greenpeace as part of the shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment.
After the change of management, the tanker continues to make calls at russian ports with oil terminals.
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.
On October 15, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 19, 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

Since March 2023, after the introduction of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, the tanker has been actively involved in the export of russian oil/oil products from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas, including using deceptive, high-risk practices.
The vessel resorts to conducting shadow activities, STS transmissions, in particular, in the area of the Kerch Strait, Russian ports in the Black Sea.
In March 2025, an STS transfer took place in the Kerch Strait area with the tanker IMO 9224441, affiliated with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, russia's largest state-owned shipping company for servicing and supporting 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.
In January 2025, an STS transfer with tanker IMO 9252448 took place near the port of Malacca (Malaysia), and tanker IMO 9265885 arrived in the Malacca port area from the russian port of Novorossiysk.
On December 31, 2024, an STS transfer took place near the russian port of Gelendzhik with the sanctioned tanker IMO 9299666, affiliated with the Indian company Caishan Ship Management, which is associated 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.
The tanker makes calls at the ports of the TOT of Ukraine, in particular, the port of Komysh-Burun (TOT Crimea of Ukraine).
The tanker is affiliated with the Moldovan company MRK Shipmanagement SRL, which became the technical manager of the vessel in March 2023, while in February 2023 Prime Choice Navigation Ltd (IMO 6386805) became the owner and commercial manager of the tanker, registered in the Seychelles at Suite 10, 3rd Floor, La Ciotat, Mont Fleuri, Mahe Island Seychelles, which is widely used for registration of shipping companies involved in the transportation of russian crude oil/petroleum products. Since August 2024, the technical management has been transferred to Voyage Guard Shipmanagement (Azerbaijan), while the owner/commercial manager has not changed.
After the change of management, the tanker continues to call at russian ports with oil terminals.
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.
In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since September 18, 2025, Australia has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since October 24, 2025, the EU has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Switzerland has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
The tanker is likely involved in facilitating the export of sanctioned Venezuelan oil by delivering petroleum products from russia to Venezuela, which allow Venezuelan heavy crude oil to be diluted.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 20, 2026, New Zealand imposed sanctions on the vessel.