Marine vessels

Since September 2022 and during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and price-cap policy on russian oil, the tanker has been involved in exporting russian oil from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas to India, mainly, and has also been involved in violating the G7 and EU embargo. In particular, in March 2023, it was transporting russian oil from the russian port of Kavkaz in the Black Sea to the EU countries (Laconikos Gulf, Greece). 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 commercial management of the vessel is carried out by the Turkish company Westanker Ltd, which is included in the list of 11 new 'players' in the Turkish segment of the russian shadow fleet management, which together since the beginning of 2024 have been managing 47 tankers and helping russia to circumvent the price ceiling regime for russian oil. Thus, on the same day (February 22, 2024), six oil tankers ІМО 9308077, ІМО 9321677, ІМО 9282508, ІМО 9390587, ІМО 9413004, ІМО 9326885, which were operated by the sanctioned company Fractal Marine DMCC, were transferred to the management of the Turkish company Westanker Ltd. All six tankers in 2024 are actively involved in the transportation of russian oil from russian ports in the Black, Baltic Seas and Arctic regions of russia. The tanker's security is managed by Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ (UAE), which also manages 19 other vessels affiliated with Fractal Marine DMCC. Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE, under UK sanctions) is one of the leading operators of the russian shadow fleet in 2022-2023, 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. Fractal Marine DMCC, together with Gatik Ship Management (India) and Radiating World Shipping Services LLC (UAE, under UK sanctions), are considered to be the leading operators of the russian shadow fleet, which in early 2023 assembled a fleet of about 90 tankers, 90% of which transported russia's oil/oil products from russian Baltic and Black seas ports 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 provide multibillion-dollar revenues bypassing sanctions. On February 22, 2024, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on Fractal Marine DMCC in connection with its involvement in servicing the russian energy sector. 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.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/oil products to third countries from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas, conducting dark activities at sea with the AIS signal turned off, and violating the G7 and EU oil embargo on russian crude oil. In particular, in July 2023, the vessel exported russian oil/oil products from the russian port of Kavkaz in the Black Sea to the EU countries (to the Laconikos Gulf, Greece) through a transshipment in violation of the embargo. RLRISE Moldova, a community of investigative journalists, programmers and activists from the Republic of Moldova and Romania, and the international NGO Greenpeace refer to the tanker as a shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment. Under the sanctions, russia has begun to build up its own shadow fleet of outdated tankers, which has no 'ties' with the G7 and the EU and can transport oil in violation of price caps. russia disguises its shadow activities at sea under the 'convenient' flags of third countries, operates at sea without proper insurance from the international club of insurers, uses complex schemes to conceal the owners of the shadow fleet, uses various deceptive tactics to conceal the origin of its cargo, creates threats to environmental safety with large-scale economic costs for coastal countries due to the growing threat of oil spills, does not use pilots to navigate difficult areas, etc. russia's 'shadow fleet' 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 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. On May 20, 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 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.

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 took russian crude oil from the russian port of Ust-Luga in the Baltic Sea in September 2024 and delivered it to a transshipment point south of Lacon Bay, west of the island of Kithira. According to United Against Nuclear Iran, the vessel is suspected of transporting Iranian oil. According to an internal analysis prepared by the Scottish Coastguard satellite services, the tanker was involved in a spill of russian oil in the sea about 100 km off the Scottish coastline. At the time, the vessel was carrying 1 million barrels of sanctioned oil from russia on its way to a refinery in India. 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 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 shadow fleet continues to provide multibillion-dollar revenues for the russian federation 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. On April 11, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of vessel IMO 9227443. 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.

During the period of the G7+ oil embargo and the price-cap policy on russian crude oil/oil products, the tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/oil products from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas to third countries. 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 December 17, 2024, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on a vessel in connection with the transportation of oil or oil products originating in russia or from russia to a third country. 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). In June 2025, Australia imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian oil, violating the G7 and EU oil embargo on russian oil in January 2024. In violation of the oil embargo, the vessel transported russian crude oil from the port of Novorossiysk in the Black Sea to the Laconikos Gulf, Greece in January 2024. According to Kpler, on January 28, 2024, the tanker ІМО 9236353 in the Laconikos Gulf of Greece carried out an STS transfer of Urals crude oil exported from the port of Novorossiysk, handing it over to the vessel IMO 9237072. On January 09, 2024, the vessel ІМО 9237072 was recorded by the MarineTraffic ship spotter off the coast of Crete in ballast with a draft of 11.3 m. On January 10, 2024, the tanker sailed to the Laconikos Gulf, where it made an STS transfer on the same day, receiving Urals oil from the vessel IMO 9434890 in the Laconikos Gulf in Greece. According to Kpler, IMO 9434890 was loaded with 729 thousand barrels of Urals oil from the port of Ust-Luga. The second STS transfer to the vessel ІМО 9237072 took place on January 28, 2024 in the Laconikos Gulf from the vessel IMO 9236353 loaded with oil in the port of Novorossiysk. According to Kpler, the vessel IMO 9237072, loaded with russian oil, concealed information about the change in the ship's draft and headed to Venezuela, where it was detected an STS transfer of oil to the vessel IMO 9110183 between February 28 and March 1, 2014, which delivered 600 thousand barrels of russian oil to the Cardon refinery in Venezuela on March 2, 2014. The international public organization Greenpeace refers to the tanker as a shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment. Shadow fleet of russia continues to generate 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 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. 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.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian oil mainly to China, in violation of the G7 and EU oil embargo on russian oil in April 2024. In violation of the oil embargo, the vessel transported russian crude oil from the port of St. Petersburg in the Baltic Sea to the Laconikos Gulf, Greece, in April 2024. According to the USA-based 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 switched to transporting russian oil in December 2020. Oil exports from russia are the most important source of income for the regime of the aggressor country to finance the war against Ukraine. From February 2022 to November 22, 2024, russia earned almost 546 billion euros in oil export revenues (69% 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 the CREA data for October 2024, russia's revenues from crude oil exported by sea amounted to 210 million euros per day, 83% 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 17% of the total value of russian oil exported in October. Shadow fleet of russia continues to generate 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 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.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian oil, violating the G7, EU oil embargo on russian oil in March 2024. In violation of the oil embargo, the vessel transported russian crude oil from the port of Taman in the Black Sea to the Laconikos Gulf, Greece, in March 2024. The tanker called at a russian port, where the price of oil was constantly exceeding the price cap of $60 per barrel of russian crude oil. According to the data of United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), the vessel was involved in the transportation of Iranian oil and switched to transporting russian oil. Since the beginning of russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, more than 100 vessels that previously helped Tehran export Iranian export oil are now helping russia transport russia's oil/oil products. IIn May 2022, UANI forecast that russia would turn to a "ghost armada" to ensure oil flows to its Chinese partner. The international public organization Greenpeace refers to the tanker as a shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment. The shadow fleet of russia continues to generate 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 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. On December 16, 2024, the EU imposed sanctions on the tanker (effective from December 17, 2024) due to the transportation of crude oil or petroleum products originating in or exported from russia, using irregular high-risk shipping practices as set out in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly Resolution A.1192(33). On December 23, 2024, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel in connection with the transportation of crude oil or petroleum products originating in or exported from russia, using irregular and risky shipping practices, as set out in the resolution of the General Assembly of the International Maritime Organization A.1192(33). On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel. 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. According to GISIS IMO data, as of July 15, 2025, the vessel's registration name is ALISSA, flag is unknown. At the same time, the vessel is sailing under the name SOUFIA 1, the flag of Curacao.

The tanker is involved in the export of Iranian and russian oil, including in violation of the G7 and EU oil embargo in September 2023. In particular, in violation of the embargo, the vessel transported russian oil products from the port of Taman in the Black Sea to the EU (Malta) via a transshipment run. The vessel is affiliated with Eco Max FZE (UAE) and Indo Gulf Ship Management LLC (UAE), which were sanctioned by USA on October 17, 2024 in connection with their involvement in illegal supplies of Iranian oil, transportation of cargo (Iranian fuel oil) for several million dollars in the interests of the Al-Jamal network. On October 17, 2024, USA imposed sanctions on the MARBEL vessel for supplying Iranian oil.

Since November 2023, the tanker has been involved in the export of russian crude oil mainly to China, India, including the EU, in violation of the G7 and EU oil embargo on russian oil. In particular, in May 2024, the vessel was transporting russian crude oil from the port of Primorsk in the Baltic Sea to the place of oil transfer near the port of Nador (Morocco) and the Spanish port of Melilla. According to the USA-based 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 switched to transporting russian oil on August 31, 2023. 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 international public organization Greenpeace refers to the tanker as a shadowy fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment. Oil exports from russia are the most important source of income for the regime of the aggressor country to finance the war against Ukraine. From February 2022 to November 22, 2024, russia earned almost 546 billion euros in oil export revenues (69% 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 the CREA data for October 2024, russia's revenues from crude oil exported by sea amounted to 210 million euros per day, 83% 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 17% of the total value of russian oil exported in October. Shadow fleet of russia continues to generate 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 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. On May 20, 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 June 03, 2025, the sanctions imposed by Switzerland on the vessel came into force.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil from russian ports in the Baltic Sea and the Pacific region to China and India, conducting dark activities at sea with the AIS signal turned off, and violating the G7 and EU oil embargo on russian oil. In particular, in May 2023, the vessel exported russian oil from the russian port of Kavkaz in the Black Sea to the EU countries (to the Laconikos Gulf, Greece) in violation of the embargo. The vessel is certified by the Registro Italiano Navale (IACS). RLRISE Moldova, a community of investigative journalists, programmers and activists from the Republic of Moldova and Romania, and the international NGO Greenpeace refer to the tanker as a shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment. Tankers of the shadow fleet operated by Moldovan companies were 'transferred' to the management of Azerbaijani companies, in particular Nautilus Fleet Management LLC. Under the sanctions, russia has begun to build up its own shadow fleet of outdated tankers, which has no 'ties' with the G7 and the EU and can transport oil in violation of price caps. russia disguises its shadow activities at sea under the 'convenient' flags of third countries, operates at sea without proper insurance from the international club of insurers, uses complex schemes to conceal the owners of the shadow fleet, uses various deceptive tactics to conceal the origin of its cargo, creates threats to environmental safety with large-scale economic costs for coastal countries due to the growing threat of oil spills, does not use pilots to navigate difficult areas, etc. russia's 'shadow fleet' 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 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. 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. 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).

The tanker is involved in violation of the G7 and EU oil embargo on russian oil, export of russian oil from russian ports to the Laconikos Gulf (Greece) and third countries, and conducting dark activities at sea with the AIS system disabled, in particular, in the Laconikos Gulf (Greece) in October 2024, off the coast of Poland in August 2023, in the Baltic Sea near the russian ports of Ust-Luga and Vitstino in June 2023. The vessel is certified by the Registro Italiano Navale (IACS). 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. The vessel, through its related companies, including sanctioned Sun Ship Management, SCF Management Services Cyprus, 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 PJSC Sovcomflot vessels are the largest oil and gas companies and traders in russia. PJSC Sovcomflot is involved in servicing large 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, in order to circumvent them, Sovcomflot transferred dozens of vessels to the ownership of companies it created, including in foreign jurisdictions, and started 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. russia's 'shadow fleet' 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 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. 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. 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).

The tanker is involved in the export of russian oil/oil products to third countries from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas, in violation of the G7 and EU oil embargo on russian oil. In particular, in September 2024, the vessel exported russian oil/oil products from the russian port of Tuapse in the Black Sea to the EU countries (to Lesvos, Greece) in violation of the embargo. The vessel is certified by the Indian Register of Shipping (IACS). The vessel is affiliated with ARK SeaKonnect Shipmanagment LLP (Mumbai, India), a company associated with Gatik Ship Management (India), which in 2022-2023 was among the top players in the shadow tanker fleet involved in the export of russian oil. Oil exports from russia are the most important source of income for the regime of the aggressor country to finance the war against Ukraine. From February 2022 to November 22, 2024, russia earned almost 546 billion euros in revenues from oil exports (69% of all revenues from fossil fuel exports). 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 the CREA data for October 2024, russia's revenues from crude oil exported by sea amounted to 210 million euros per day, 83% 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 17% of the total value of russian oil exported in October. Under the sanctions, russia has begun to build up its own shadow fleet of outdated tankers, which has no 'ties' with the G7 and the EU and can transport oil in violation of price caps. russia disguises its shadow activities at sea under the 'convenient' flags of third countries, operates at sea without proper insurance from the international club of insurers, uses complex schemes to conceal the owners of the shadow fleet, uses various deceptive tactics to conceal the origin of its cargo, creates threats to environmental safety with large-scale economic costs for coastal countries due to the growing threat of oil spills, does not use pilots to navigate difficult areas, etc. russia's 'shadow fleet' 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 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. 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. On April 11, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of vessel IMO 9289752. On May 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions, which 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.