Sea vessels

The vessel is designated for transportation of general, bulk cargoes, including grain without bulkheads in holds, bulk cargoes with specific cargo volume not less than 0.85 m³/t, dangerous cargoes, timber and containers of international standard IC and ICC in holds and on hatch covers (project No. 19610). It is involved in the transportation of artillery shells and ammunition from Iran to russia via the Caspian sea. It is owned by the sanctioned russian maritime shipping company MG-Flot LLC (previous name Transmorflot LLC). In May 2022, USA imposed sanctions on Transmorflot LLC and its vessels involved in the transportation of weapons for the russian federation. MG-Flot LLC is linked to Astrakhan businessman Pashayev Jamaldin Emirmagomedovich, who built his business around the commercial port of Olya in the Astrakhan region. This place was proposed as a key logistic hub of the international transport corridor "North-South", the creation and construction of which was supervised and controlled by former russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov. The key purpose of the transportation corridor was to trade with sanctioned Iran, which could import and export goods via the North-South route.

Involved in the transportation of weapons for russia. In 2018, it delivered missiles for the S-400 air defense missile system from russia to China. The vessel is owned by the sanctioned russian shipping company M Leasing LLC (TIN 9701173086). In May 2022, USA imposed sanctions on M Leasing LLC vessels (including "Ascalon") involved in the transportation of weapons.

Involved in the transportation of weapons for russia. In 2018, it delivered missiles for the S-400 air defense missile system from russia to China. The vessel is owned by the sanctioned russian shipping company M Leasing LLC (TIN 9701173086). In May 2022, USA imposed sanctions on the vessels of M Leasing LLC (including "Adler") and the company itself for their involvement in the transportation of weapons.

It is involved in the transportation of military equipment for the russian troops in Syria The vessel belongs to the sanctioned russian shipping company SK-South LLC, a subsidiary of the sanctioned russian company Oboronlogistika LLC. OOO Oboronlogistika. Oboronlogistika LLC is a shipping company that operates within the military construction complex of the russian ministry of defence. The main objectives of Oboronlogistika LLC are to meet the needs of the russian ministry of defence in the transportation, storage and production of military and special-purpose goods. Oboronlogistika LLC is the sole provider of transport services for the russian ministry of defence, transporting troops to certain regions of russia and delivering cargo to temporarily occupied Crimea (Ukraine). In May 2022, USA imposed sanctions on "Ursa Major" as a property of SK-South LLC. After a long period of work in the Caspian Sea to provide transportations between the ports of russia and Iran, in September 2023 completed the passage to the Azov-Black Sea basin, where it was without AIS signal. The vessel made calls at the port of Taurus (Syria) using an AIS disconnection scheme to conceal destinations. While making voyages to Syria, passed the Bosphorus Strait without waiting. In accordance with established practice, vessels wait for their turn to pass for a certain period of time. This is only possible with prior agreement with representatives of the Turkish maritime administration The russian federation continues to use cargo vessels to move cargo, including military cargo, through the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits. During 2022-2023, these straits were crossed by russian cargo vessels affiliated with Oboronlogistika LLC, namely: "Sparta IV", "Ursa Major", "Sparta II". These vessels were travelling along the routes Novorossiysk Port (russia) - Bosphorus - Dardanelles - Tartus Port (Syria). Since March 2024, the vessel has been sailing between the ports of Baltiysk - Kronstadt - St Petersburg.

The vessel is involved in the supply of goods from/to Iran to/from russia. The vessel is owned by the sanctioned russian shipping company MG-Flot LLC (formerly Transmorflot LLC). MG-Flot LLC is associated with Astrakhan businessman Jamaldin Emirmagomedovich Pashayev, who built his business around the Olya trade port in Astrakhan region (he owns/controls a network of companies operating in the Olya port). This particular location was proposed as a key logistics hub for the North-South international transport corridor, the creation and construction of which was overseen and controlled by former russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov. The key purpose of the transport corridor was to trade with sanctioned Iran, which could import and export goods via the North-South route. Pashayev's companies have been involved in russian exports of military goods since 2021, and have concluded more than 200 agreements on the sea transportation of military goods to countries around the world. Pashayev and his companies are an integral part of the ongoing transfer of goods to the sanctioned russian JSC ‘SEZ PVT Alabuga’, one of the main plants for the assembly of UAVs with the support of Iran for the needs of the russian Ministry of Defence. The vessel ‘Port Olya-4’ regularly sails the Caspian Sea, transporting cargo between Iran and russia. On 10 September 2024, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel as the property of the sanctioned MG-Flot LLC.

The vessel is engaged in transportation of ammunition, Shahed 136/131 UAVs (parts, components, materials) from Iran to russia via the Caspian Sea with the AIS disabled. From Tehran, the drones are delivered to the Iranian port of Amirabad, from where they are vesselped to Makhachkala by sea, then transported by aircraft and land to launching sites near the borders of Ukraine - Seshcha in the north, in Bryansk region, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk in the south, in Krasnodar region. There is a practice of incorrectly displaying the vessel's workload, and on some voyages it is impossible to establish the place of loading/unloading. The vessel has a practice of switching off its AIS near the port, which results in no record of port calls. The vessel is owned by the sanctioned russian shipping company Dalir LLC, which is based in Astrakhan, operates in the Caspian Sea, and transports military cargo for delivery to the Iranian military on behalf of the sanctioned russian company Rosoboronexport JSC, the only russian state intermediary agency for the export and import of the entire range of military, defence and dual-use products, technologies and services. In February and September 2024, USA and the United Kingdom respectively imposed sanctions on the vessel.

It is involved in the transportation of weapons from Syria to russia (in particular, through the Bosporus strait). It is owned by the sanctioned russian maritime shipping company MG-Flot LLC (previous name Transmorflot LLC). In May 2022, USA imposed sanctions on Transmorflot LLC and its vessels involved in the transportation of weapons for the russian federation. MG-Flot LLC is linked to Astrakhan businessman Pashayev Jamaldin Emirmagomedovich, who built his business around the commercial port of Olya in the Astrakhan region. This place was proposed as a key logistic hub of the international transport corridor "North-South", the creation and construction of which was supervised and controlled by former russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov. The key purpose of the transportation corridor was to trade with sanctioned Iran, which could import and export goods via the North-South route.

In August 2024, the first shipments/reloadings of STS LNG from the sanctioned Arctic LNG-2 facility were recorded by vessels that were subsequently sanctioned by partners. At the same time, there is a possibility that earlier than in August 2024, the LNG carrier 'Christophe De Margerie' shipped the first batch of LNG from 'Arctic LNG-2' to Europe, the shipment operation was carried out in the period of June 06-11, 2024, but it was not a full batch, but a blend of LNG from 'Yamal LNG'. In the period from June 08-09, June 09-10, 2024, the vessel carried out the so-called “dark” activity near the port of Sabetta in the Gulf of Ob. Arctic LNG-2 is the second large-capacity project after Yamal LNG of Novatek's sanctioned project for natural gas extraction and liquefied natural gas production on the Gydan Peninsula. In November 2023 and February 2024, USA and the United Kingdom respectively imposed sanctions on the russian Arctic LNG-2 project, which is of strategic importance for the government of the russian federation. The LNG carrier 'Christophe de Margerie' is linked to Gas Carriers SCF MGMT FZCO (UAE), which is affiliated with the sanctioned PJSC 'Sovcomflot', the largest state-owned shipping company in russia, a key company for servicing and supporting offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian oil, oil products, liquefied gas against the background of sanctions restrictions on russia after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The services provided by Sovcomflot are a significant source of income for russia, as more than 70% of russia's revenues come from energy sales, 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, etc. 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 related companies. According to expert estimates, the tankers transferred by Sovcomflot to related companies are part of the so-called “shadow fleet” of the russian federation to continue selling russian oil, oil products, and liquefied gas under sanctions.

The vessel is involved in the theft of Ukrainian grain from the closed port of Sevastopol (TOT Crimea, Ukraine) and its delivery for transshipment to the port of Kavkaz for further sale to third countries. A Ukrainian court arrested the vessel in absentia in 2022.

The vessel is involved in the theft of Ukrainian grain from the closed port of Sevastopol (TOT Crimea, Ukraine) with the AIS signal turned off, and the export of grain to third countries by transshipment to other vessels in the Kerch Strait and the port of Kavkaz. This scheme of grain theft allows russia to conceal the Ukrainian origin of the stolen grain and sell it to third countries as grain of russian origin. The vessel made its first call to Iran on August 27, 2024, and is currently operating on the routes Astrakhan (russia) - Amirabad (Iran). The change in the vessel's sailing area is due to the change of ownership and management in July 2024. The previous owner and manager of the vessel was Falero Shipping Co Ltd (IMO 5925865), an offshore company registered in the Seychelles.

The vessel is involved in the theft of Ukrainian grain from the TOT of Crimea (Ukraine). The vessel was spotted twice in June 2022 near a grain terminal owned by Avlita and controlled by the United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC). The vessel was twice loaded with more than 4,000 tons of barley, which was delivered to the port of Kavkaz (russia) for transshipment. This scheme of grain theft allows the russian federation to conceal the Ukrainian origin of the stolen grain and sell it to third countries as grain of russian origin.

The non-ice-class vessel is involved in the transportation of russian LNG, including from facilities located in the Arctic zone, in particular, with the AIS signal switched off and frequent course deviations. The vessel has a permit issued by the State Budgetary Institution ‘Main Directorate of the Northern Sea Route’, which is founded by the russian federation, to sail along the Northern Sea Route (NSR) along the following route: western border of the NSR - Kara Sea - Gulf of Ob - port of Sabetta - western border of the NSR. The vessel is affiliated through related companies, in particular the sanctioned Sun Ship Management and Gas Carriers SCF MGMT FZCO, with the sanctioned Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia, a key company for servicing and supporting offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian oil, oil products, and liquefied natural gas amid sanctions restrictions on russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. 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 energy sales, 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, including LNG tankers, to the ownership of companies it had set up in foreign jurisdictions in order to circumvent them, starting the practice of constantly ‘juggling’ (transferring) vessels to related companies. The tankers ‘re-registered’ by PJSC Sovcomflot to related companies, according to expert estimates, are part of the so-called ‘shadow fleet’ of the russian federation to continue selling russian oil, oil products and liquefied gas under sanctions. On 26 September 2024, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on 5 LNG tankers, including the ‘SCF La Perouse’ (current name: ‘La Perouse’), involved in the russian LNG sector.