Marine Vessels

Maritime vessel IMO 9057305 — "Baltic" class, Project 16291, intended for the transport of general and bulk cargo, including grain, international standard containers in the holds, and timber.
The vessel was built by the Volgograd Shipyard, was registered in the port of St. Petersburg, and sailed under the russian flag from February 2012 to May 2014.
Since May 2014, the vessel has been sailing under the name RHONE, the flag of Vanuatu, with Port Vila as its port of registry.
Vessel IMO 9057305 was operated between 2004 and 2006 by the now-liquidated russian company Volga-Neva LLC, which was a subsidiary of PJSC (OJSC) "Northwest Shipping Company" (TIN 7812023195). The legal successor to PJSC (OJSC) "Northwest Shipping Company" is JSC "VOLGA-FLOT" (TIN 5260902190, subject to sanctions by the EU, Switzerland, the UK, and Ukraine), affiliated with Vladimir Sergeyevich Lisin (TIN 482500601799, subject to sanctions by Australia, Canada, and Ukraine).
Subsequently, the vessel was operated by INOK N.V., incorporated in Monaco. According to available information, the company SARL INOK N.V. is registered in Monaco and is affiliated with Vladimir KASYANENKO (as the company’s director and partner), Tatiana RATCHKOVA (Tatiana KASSIANENKO, partner), and, until September 2, 2022, with Elena OLERSKAIA (former co-partner of the company).
It is noteworthy that Vladimir Kasyanenko was the chairman of the board of directors of PJSC (OJSC) "Northwest Shipping Company"; this position was previously held by Viktor Olersky, who is likely connected to Elena Olerskaia, who was listed as a former partner of INOK N.V.
At the same time, according to available information, OLERSKAIA Elena and KASSIANENKO Tatiana are also affiliated with INOK N.V. (BE0456.404.695), a company registered on October 23, 1995, in Belgium (the company is currently defunct). The Belgian company INOK N.V. managed the vessel ABINSK (IMO 9303869, a vessel involved in the theft of grain from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine) until October 2022, during the period when the registered owner of the vessel was a subsidiary of the sanctioned JSC "GTLK". According to available information, the Belgian company INOK N.V. was affiliated with the vessel ULA IMO 9780940, flying under the flag of the russian federation (under U.S. sanctions since April 12, 2023). The U.S. imposed sanctions on the vessel ULA IMO 9780940 in April 2023, when it was operated by the Turkish company Artvin Denizcilik Ve Ticaret Limited Şirketi. At the same time, the U.S. also sanctioned the Turkish company Artvin Denizcilik Ve Ticaret Limited Şirketi itself. According to available information, the founder of the Turkish company Artvin Denizcilik Ve Ticaret Limited Şirketi is Vladimir Viktorovich Kasyanenko (affiliated with PJSC (OJSC) "Northwest Shipping Company"); his registration lists Belgian citizenship and an address in Monaco.
According to available information, technical management of RHONE (IMO 9057305) has been handled since February 27, 2012, by the Turkish company Hicaz Deniz Tasimaciligi Ticaret Ltd. Sti. (IMO 5843681), which was founded by Turkish citizen MUZAFFER TARAK (subsequently, the company’s shares were transferred). This company carried out technical management of the vessel during the period when commercial management was provided by INOK NV (Monaco), an affiliate of Vladimir Kasyanenko, who is associated with PJSC (formerly OJSC) "Northwest Shipping Company" (currently the sanctioned JSC "VOLGA-FLOT"). Currently, Hicaz Deniz Tasimaciligi Ticaret Ltd Sti provides both commercial and technical management of the vessel. Another Turkish company (Yagmur Deniz Tasimaciligi Ticaret Ltd Sti (IMO 5148061), also affiliated with MUZAFFER TARAK) was also involved in the management of the vessel.
It is noteworthy that following russia’s temporary annexation of Ukraine’s Autonomous Republic of Crimea, specifically in May 2014, the vessel’s name was changed from "Konstantin Paustovsky" to "RHONE," its flag was changed from the russian federation to Vanuatu, and the registered owner company was changed twice.
From May 30, 2014, to February 2019, the registered owner of the vessel was ANA TRADING & SHIPPING LTD (IMO 5789283), incorporated in Panama. The founders of this Panamanian company are individuals who are mass founders of a number of Panamanian companies. One of the directors of ANA TRADING & SHIPPING LTD is listed as MUZAFFER TARAK, who also founded the Turkish company Hicaz Deniz Tasimaciligi Ticaret Ltd Sti.
Since February 2019, the registered owner of the vessel RHONE (IMO 9057305) has been Cloud Nine Shipping & Trading Co (IMO 6083166), a company registered in the Marshall Islands, which operates under the auspices of the Turkish company Hicaz Deniz Tasimaciligi Ticaret Ltd Sti, which manages the vessel.
Prior to the start of russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, beginning in April 2021, the vessel called at the following ports: Borusan (Turkey), Mariupol (Ukraine), Tekirdag (Turkey), Berdyansk (Ukraine), Yeysk (russia), Bandirma (Turkey), Taganrog (russia), Samsun (Turkey), Izmir (Turkey), MMK Metalurji (an asset of the russian flat steel producer Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works, currently under sanctions), Azov (russia), Beirut (Lebanon), Iskenderun (Turkey), Yuzhny (Ukraine), Kherson (Shipyard, Ukraine), Temryuk (Russia).
Since May 2022, there has been a pattern of traffic at russian and Turkish ports characteristic of russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Additionally, there has been vessel activity at the port of Famagusta, which has been officially closed to international shipping by the Republic of Cyprus since 1974. All vessels entering this port without permission from the Cypriot authorities are considered violators.
According to available information, the vessel is involved in the maritime export of grain and oilseed meal, particularly from the port of Yeysk. In May 2026, the vessel exported 3,829.2 tons of wheat from the port of Yeysk; the shipper of the cargo is the russian company Introforus LLC (TIN 2361012833). According to available information, Introforus LLC is a trader of grain and feed, and is allocated grain export quotas in accordance with russian legislation. The company is engaged in the wholesale purchase of grain crops, the transportation of grain by road and rail, and the shipment of cargo for export by sea vessels. According to available information, Introforus LLC cooperates with the russian company Agro-Fregat LLC (TIN 6141055691), known for its involvement in schemes to export grain from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, including by sea vessels.
For maritime cargo transportation, in addition to the vessel RHONE, Introforus LLC has been using the following vessels since the start of the full-scale invasion:
ASTROL-6 (IMO 9926324) flying the russian flag,
OMSKIY-14 (IMO 8874914) flying the russian flag,
NAVIS-7 (IMO 9868819) flying the russian flag,
KAPITAN AVESHNIKOV (IMO 8332796) flying the russian flag, involved in the theft of Ukrainian grain from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine,
VOLZHSKIY-8 (IMO 8883238) flying the russian flag — a known supplier of ilmenite to the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine (port of Kerch),
ANATOLIY NIKOLAEV (IMO 9868821) flying the russian flag, involved in the theft of Ukrainian grain from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.
Despite Ukraine’s ban on the use of port infrastructure and entry into the ports of the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, satellite imagery indicates that the vessel RHONE (IMO 9057305) was located at the Kamysh-Burun seaport in Kerch on April 28, 2025. In addition, numerous instances of the vessel’s mooring in the vicinity of anchorages No. 471 and No. 453 in the port of Kerch have been recorded since the full-scale invasion began.

The vessel is under construction for the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot at the sanctioned russian shipyard SSK Zvezda LLC. PJSC Sovcomflot is the largest state-owned shipping company in russia that services and supports offshore hydrocarbon production and the transportation of russian crude oil, oil products, and liquefied natural gas. The main charterers of Sovcomflot's 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.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is a large-capacity vessel of unlimited navigation area built in 2024, of MR type with a deadweight of 50 thousand tons, dimensions - length 183 m, width 32.2 m. The tanker was built by a sanctioned russian shipyard, Zvezda Shipyard LLC, for the sanctioned russian company Sovcomflot under a contract with its subsidiary SCF Atlantic LLC.
PJSC Sovcomflot is 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 natural gas amidst the application of sanctions restrictions to russia after its full-scale invasion of 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.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker was built specifically for the transportation of oil from the Prirazlomnoye field in the Pechora Sea to terminals in the Murmansk region. The Prirazlomnoye Arctic offshore oil field is being developed by the sanctioned Gazprom Neft Shelf LLC (a 100% subsidiary of the sanctioned PJSC Gazprom Neft), which is the center for managing Gazprom Neft's offshore projects.
The tanker is involved in the transportation of oil from the Prirazlomnoye Arctic offshore oil field, in particular to Murmansk, to the floating storage tanker FSO UMBA (IMO 9196620, under USA sanctions), as well as to China.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In August 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the tanker's master.
Since September 12, 2025, the United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 19, 2025, the EU has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since January 13, 2026, Switzerland has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 19, 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On April, 2026, the EU imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The Arfamax tanker is under construction by the sanctioned russian Shipbuilding Company Zvezda LLC according to the 114K project developed by Hyundai Samno Heavy Industries (South Korea) for the sanctioned PJSC Oil Company Rosneft. The vessel is designed to transport crude oil in an unlimited area of navigation.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel as a property in which the sanctioned JSC Rosnefteflot (a subsidiary of the sanctioned PJSC Oil Company Rosneft) has an interest.

Tanker (serial number ZVEZDA 131060) is being built by the sanctioned russian Shipbuilding Company Zvezda LLC and is planned to be used for export transportation from russian ports in favor of the sanctioned russian PJSC Oil Company Rosneft.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel as property in which the sanctioned russian JSC Rosnefteflot has an interest.

A tanker under construction at the sanctioned russian shipyard Zvezda Shipbuilding Company LLC for the sanctioned russian oil company Rosneft.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the tanker.

A tanker under construction at the sanctioned russian shipyard Zvezda Shipbuilding Company LLC for the sanctioned russian oil company Rosneft.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the tanker.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products, including to the EU, in violation of the G7 and EU oil embargo. In particular, the tanker exported russian crude oil/petroleum products 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.
On July 02, 2025, the sanctioned tanker IMO 9381744 was at anchor near Piraeus (Greece), then it passed through the Strait of Gibraltar on July 09, 2025, and on July 11, 2025, it passed through Spanish waters near Santa Cruz de La Palma.
The vessel sails and was in the waters of European countries under the flag of Guinea, while according to GISIS IMO data as of July 2025, the flag of the vessel IMO 9381744 is marked as "Guinea False". At the same time, according to GISIS IMO, the tanker's registration name as of early July 2025 is ANTILA.
Since September 12, 2025, the United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In November 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
As of January 2026, the tanker is involved in the transportation of Venezuelan oil/oil products.

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.
According to GISIS ІМО registry data as of early July 2025, the vessel's name is SENSUS, flag is unknown.
Since the beginning of 2025, the tanker has been involved in transportation in the Venezuelan region.
Since September 12, 2025, the United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In November 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 21, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of the vessel.

The vessel is considered to be part of the so-called "shadow fleet," which is used to circumvent sanctions on crude oil trade with Iran, russia, and Venezuela.
The vessel was involved in transporting Iranian crude oil in Karystos Bay (Petalioi Gulf), and was detained by the Greek Coast Guard in April 2022.
In 2020-2025, the tanker is affiliated with the russian shipping company MG-Flot LLC (formerly Transmorfot LLC).
In May 2022, the US imposed sanctions on Transmorfloot LLC and the company's vessels involved in transporting weapons to russia.
MG-Flot LLC is affiliated with Astrakhan businessman Jamaldin Emir Magomedovich Pashayev, who built his business around the commercial port of Olya in the Astrakhan region. This location was proposed as the key logistics hub of the North-South international transport corridor, the development and construction of which was supervised and controlled by former russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov. The key purpose of the transport corridor was trade with sanctioned Iran, which could import and export goods via the North-South route. This explains the provision of trade in Iranian oil by a fleet of tankers affiliated with a bank controlled by Mikhail Fradkov.
The vessel is also affiliated with the russian company PSB Leasing LLC (TIN 7722581759), a subsidiary of Promsvyazbank PJSC Promsvyazbank (TIN 7744000912), which is a systemically important state-owned banking institution of the russian federation that finances the russian defense industry, services significant volumes of state defense contracts of the russian Ministry of Defense, and provides banking services, including mortgage loans, to the russian military.
As part of the sanctions against PJSC Promsvyazbank, in February 2022, the US imposed sanctions on five vessels (including IMO 9256860), which at that time were owned by PSB Leasing LLC, a subsidiary of PJSC Promsvyazbank.
On January 15, 2026, the US authorities officially confirmed the seizure of a tanker in the Caribbean Sea as part of Operation Southern Spear. The operation was carried out by marines and sailors from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford. The vessel is accused of violating the naval blockade and sanctions imposed by the US against Venezuela, as well as transporting Venezuelan oil. The ship last transmitted its coordinates on January 3, 2026, while anchored near Aruba. At the time of the seizure, the tanker was flying under the flag of Guyana (the previous flag of Iran), but the ship had been registered under the flag of the russian federation since January 1, 2026. Since December 25, 2025, the owner and manager of the tanker has been the russian company Burevestmarin LLC, established in July 2025. The director and sole owner of the company is Ilya Bugay, an entrepreneur from the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea, Ukraine. At the end of December 2025, the company became the owner and manager of two more tankers:
— MARINERA IMO 9230880 (under US sanctions), detained on January 7, 2026, by the US Coast Guard in the North Atlantic south of Iceland. The vessel was detained after a two-week pursuit in the Atlantic after it evaded inspection in the Caribbean Sea. As of January 15, 2026, the tanker is under US control and has been delivered to Moray Firth (Scotland, UK);
— SOKOLO IMO 9153525 (under US sanctions) — a VLCC class tanker involved in the transportation of Iranian and russian oil. The vessel last transmitted its coordinates on January 1, 2026, while in the Caribbean Sea at an anchorage off the coast of Aruba.

The tanker is involved in the transportation of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports to third countries.
The vessel belongs to a group of tankers operated by the turkish company Beks Ship Management and Trading, which was sanctioned by the United Kingdom in early 2024. After the sanctions were imposed, the ships of this Turkish company changed managers and flags and continued to transport russian oil.
In June and October 2024, the EU and Switzerland respectively imposed sanctions on the vessel in relation to the transport of crude oil/petroleum products originating in or exported from russia, using irregular and high-risk shipping practices, as specified in Resolution A.1192(33) of the General Assembly of the International Maritime Organization.
In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the tanker.
On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since October 30, 2025, New Zealand has imposed sanctions on the tanker.
On December 31, 2025, the US imposed sanctions on a vessel for transporting Venezuelan oil and assisting the Maduro regime in evading sanctions.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 21, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of the vessel.