Marine vessels

The tanker is involved in the export of russian oil/oil products from russian ports in the Black and Baltic Seas to third countries, the EU in violation of the embargo, in particular to Malta in May 2024, from the port of Tuapse to the Laconikos Gulf in February 2024, October 2023, from the port of Novorossiysk to the Laconikos Gulf in August 2023. The tanker is affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management, one of the leading operators of the so-called 'shadow' fleet involved in the transportation of russian crude oil under Western sanctions, and the Gatik-related company Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment LLC, which in 2023, together with Caishan Ship Management, Galena Ship Management, Gaurik Ship Management LLP, Geras Ship Management, Girik Ship Management, Orion Ship Management LLP, Nautilus Shipping (India), Plutos Ship Management, Zidan Ship Management, was involved in a scheme to 'juggle' vessels managed by Gatik Ship Management to avoid sanctions. Gatik Ship Management and Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment LLC were the previous managers of the tanker. Tankers operated/managed by India's Gatik Ship Management continue to be used by related companies and call at russian ports. 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 24 February 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel. In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel. In June 2025, Australia 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 ss involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Baltic, Black Seas, and the Pacific region, including in violation of the embargo in May 2024 from the russian port of Ust-Luga to Malta.The vessel called at a russian port where the price of oil was constantly trading above the price cap. The tanker, through related companies, including the sanctioned Sun Ship Management, is affiliated with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia that services and supports offshore hydrocarbon production and the transportation of russian oil, oil products, and liquefied natural 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. The previous owner of the vessel was Kupa Lines Incorporated, which was sanctioned by USA on January 10, 2025 for its activities in the energy sector of the russian economy. On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel, which is considered part of the shadow fleet, as a property in which Kupa Lines Incorporated has an interest. On April 11, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of vessel IMO 9299680. 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. On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on 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 involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from the russian port of Novorossiysk to the EU countries, using deceptive practices (conducting dark activities near russian ports in the Black Sea, as well as near Romania). On April 11, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of the tanker IMO 9229374.

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, including through STS transfers, in particular, with the sanctioned tanker IMO 9247443, which since July 2024 in the area near Greece, Cyprus, has been acting as a transshipment STS hub for russian crude oil/petroleum products, which are transported by tankers mainly from the russian ports of Tuapse, Novorossiysk, Taman oil/petroleum products transshipment complex for transshipment near European countries. The vessel engages in dark activities near the TOT of Crimea in Ukraine, the russian ports of Novorossiysk and Tuapse. The tanker calls at the Sheskharis terminal (Novorossiysk port), which is a transshipment complex, the end point of the main pipelines of Chernomortransneft JSC (TIN 2315072242, under USA sanctions), a subsidiary of the sanctioned russian Transneft PJSC (TIN 7706061801). The tanker is affiliated with the Indian companies Orion Ship Management, Geras Ship Management, which in 2023, together with Caishan Ship Management, Plutos Ship Management, Gaurik Ship Management, Girik Ship Management, Galena Ship Management, Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment, Zidan Ship Management, were involved in a scheme to "juggle" vessels operated by Gatik Ship Management, one of the leading operators of the shadow fleet involved in the transportation of Russian crude oil/oil products under Western sanctions. 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 vessel is owned by the sanctioned russian maritime shipping company MG-Flot LLC (ООО "МГ-Флот"; formerly Transmorflot LLC – ООО "Трансморфлот"). In May 2022, the United States imposed sanctions on Transmorflot LLC and its vessels involved in transporting weapons for the russian federation. MG-Flot LLC is linked to Astrakhan businessman Jamaldin Emirmagomedovich Pashayev, who built his business around the Port of Olya in Astrakhan region, owning and controlling a network of companies operating there. This location was proposed as a key logistics hub for the North– South International Transport Corridor, the creation and construction of which was overseen by former russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov. The primary purpose of the corridor was to facilitate trade with sanctioned Iran, enabling it to import and export goods via the North– South route.

The vessel is owned by the sanctioned russian maritime shipping company MG-Flot LLC (ООО "МГ-Флот", formerly Transmorflot LLC – ООО "Трансморфлот"). In May 2022, the United States imposed sanctions on Transmorflot LLC (ООО "Трансморфлот") and on its vessels involved in the transportation of weapons for the russian federation. MG-Flot LLC is linked to Astrakhan businessman Jamaldin Emirmagomedovich Pashayev (Джамалдін Емірмагомедович Пашаєв), who built his business around the commercial port of Olya in the Astrakhan region. This location was promoted 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 corridor’s primary purpose was to facilitate trade with sanctioned Iran, enabling it to import and export goods via the North– South route.

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.

It is owned by the sanctioned russian maritime shipping company MG-Flot LLC (ООО "МГ-Флот", formerly Transmorflot LLC – ООО "Трансморфлот"). In May 2022, the United States 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 Jamaldin Emirmagomedovich Pashayev, who built his business around the commercial port of Olya in the Astrakhan region. This location was proposed as a key logistics hub of the international transport corridor "North– South," 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 facilitate trade with sanctioned Iran, enabling it to import and export goods via the "North– South" route.

It is the property of the sanctioned russian maritime shipping company MG-Flot LLC (formerly Transmorflot LLC). In May 2022, USA imposed sanctions on Transmorflot LLC and its vessels involved in the transportation of weapons for the russian federation. The vessel is also affiliated with LLC PSB Leasing (TIN 7722581759, related to the sanctioned PJSC Promsvyazbank (TIN 7744000912), a systemically important russian state-owned banking institution that finances the russian defense industry, services significant volumes of state defense contracts for the russian ministry of defense, and provides banking services, including mortgage loans, to the russian military. MG-Flot LLC is associated with the Astrakhan businessman Pashayev Jamaldin Emirmagomedovich, who built his business around the commercial port of Olya in the Astrakhan region. This very 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 along the North-South route. As part of the application of sanctions to PJSC Promsvyazbank, in February 2022, USA imposed sanctions on five vessels (including the "Baltic Leader") owned (owned at the time) by PSB Leasing LLC as a subsidiary of PJSC Promsvyazbank. "Baltic Leader" while owned by PSB Leasing LLC was arrested by French customs for violation of Decision (EU) 2022/260 of February 23, 2022 on restrictive measures against acts undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. The russian Embassy in France actively participated in the release of the vessel from arrest. In 2024, the vessel was first used on the Novorossiysk port ( russia) - Tartus port ( Syria) line, which is the only port in the Mediterranean Sea under russian control. In particular, in February 2024, the vessel made a voyage following the ‘Sparta IV’ (IMO 9743033), which was involved in the transportation of weapons from Syria to Novorossiysk. Also involved in this voyage were the tanker ‘Yaz’ (IMO 9735323) and the roller ship ‘Lady Maria’ (IMO 9220641). The vessel is likely a member of the so-called russian rescue group sent from the russian naval base in the Baltic in December 2024 to evacuate russian troops and equipment from Syria after the fall of the Assad regime. On December 31, 2024, the Portuguese Navy observed a group of russian vessels (including military vessels), including a submarine, passing near the country's coast towards the Mediterranean Sea. According to the Armed Forces of Portugal, the russian vessels included the landing ship Alexander Shabalin, civilian logistics support vessels Baltic Leader, Sparta II and the tanker General Skobelev, while the russian submarine Novorossiysk was moving along the country's economic zone. The second group included the russian amphibious warships Ivan Gren, Aleksandr Otrakovsky, and the civilian vessel Sparta, which passed the Strait of Gibraltar on the evening of December 22, 2024, and entered the Mediterranean Sea, and were supposed to arrive at the Syrian port of Tartus on January 05, 2025, but as of the morning of January 07, 2025, the Sparta is sailing off the coast of Syria, probably awaiting permission to enter the port of Tartus from the new Syrian authorities. The tanker General Skobelev and Sparta II are scheduled to call at Tartus on January 08, 2025. As of the morning of January 07, 2025, the tanker General Skobelev (declared destination Said port (Egypt)), cargo ships Ro-Ro Baltic Leader (IMO 9220639, affiliated with the sanctioned russian company MG-Flot LLC, whose vessels are involved in the transportation of weapons for the russian federation, including from Iran for use in the war against Ukraine), Sparta II (IMO 9160994, affiliated with the sanctioned russian company Oboronlogistika LLC, which meets the needs of the russian ministry of defense in the transportation, storage and production of military and special purpose goods). According to maritime information databases, the final destination of Ro-Ro cargo ships is not specified.

According to the American human rights group United Against a Nuclear Iran (UANI), which monitors Iran-related tanker traffic, the vessel is involved in the transportation of Iranian oil. It is the property of the sanctioned russian maritime shipping company MG-Flot LLC (formerly Transmorflot LLC). In May 2022, USA imposed sanctions on Transmorflot LLC and its vessels involved in the transportation of weapons for the russian federation. The commercial manager of the vessel is a sanctioned russian company, Marine Trans shipping LLC (TIN 3025037914), which also operates the Adler (IMO 9179854), a roll-on/roll-off vessel involved in arms transportation. The vessel is also affiliated with LLC PSB Leasing (TIN 7722581759, related to the sanctioned PJSC Promsvyazbank (TIN 7744000912), a systemically important state-owned banking institution of the russian federation, which finances the russian defense industry, services significant volumes of state defense contracts of the ministry of defense of the russian federation, and provides banking services to the russian military, in particular mortgage loans. MG-Flot LLC is associated with the Astrakhan businessman Pashayev Jamaldin Emirmagomedovich, who built his business around the commercial port of Olya in the Astrakhan region. This very 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 trade with sanctioned Iran, which could import and export goods via the North-South route. This can thus explain the provision of Iranian oil trade by a fleet of tankers affiliated with a bank controlled by Pyotr Fradkov. As part of the application of sanctions against PJSC Promsvyazbank, in February 2022, USA imposed sanctions on five vessels (including the vessel "Linda" (current name "Inda"), which were owned at the time by PSB Leasing LLC as a subsidiary of PJSC Promsvyazbank.

Engaged in the transportation of Iranian oil to Karystos Bay (Petalioi Gulf), which caused it to be detained by the Greek Coast Guard in April 2022. Owned by the sanctioned russian maritime shipping company MG-Flot LLC (formerly 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 affiliated with Astrakhan businessman Pashayev Jamaldin Emirmagomedovich, who built his business around the commercial port of Olya in the Astrakhan region. This very 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 trade with sanctioned Iran, which could import and export goods via the North-South route. This can thus explain the provision of Iranian oil trade by a fleet of tankers affiliated with a bank controlled by Pyotr Fradkov. The previous owner of the vessel was the sanctioned PSB Leasing LLC (TIN 7722581759), a subsidiary of PJSC Promsvyazbank (TIN 7744000912), which is a systemically important state-owned banking institution of the russian federation that finances the defense industry of the russian federation, services significant volumes of state defense contracts of the ministry of defense of the russian federation, and provides banking services to the russian military, in particular mortgage loans. As part of the sanctions imposed on Promsvyazbank in February 2022, USA imposed sanctions on five vessels (including the vessel Pegas (now Veronica), which were owned at the time by PSB Leasing LLC, a subsidiary of Promsvyazbank.

The vessel is designed to receive, transport, and discharge soil at underwater disposal sites. It is owned and operated by the sanctioned russian shipping company OJSC Northern Shipping Company (ОАО "Северное морское пароходство"), which is affiliated with the Ministry of Defence of the russian federation. In particular, it provides services under state defence contracts for the transportation of cargo for the Ministry of Defence. Northern Shipping Company is one of the largest shipping companies in north-west russia, engaged in global maritime transport, including operations along the Northern Sea Route. Its fleet consists of multipurpose dry cargo vessels capable of transporting all types of cargo, including radioactive and hazardous materials. The company operates 30 vessels of various types: 18 transport fleet vessels, 7 dredging fleet vessels, and 5 auxiliary fleet vessels. It conducts liner, tramp, and multimodal shipping, delivers cargo to undeveloped shorelines, provides towing services, technical management (including repairs, supply, ship chandling, and warehousing), crew simulator training, nautical chart corrections, and ensures that mixed (river– sea) navigation vessels are supplied with inland waterway charts. In May 2022, the United States imposed sanctions on OJSC Northern Shipping Company and 27 of its vessels, including the Chizhovka, due to their involvement in the military logistics sector of the russian federation, transporting tanks and other military equipment for the russian armed forces.