Marine Vessels

During the 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, including through STS transfers in the area of the Gulf of Laconikos.
The tanker called at a russian port where the price of russian oil consistently exceeded the price cap of $60 per barrel.
The international non-governmental organization Greenpeace classifies the tanker as part of the shadow fleet of tankers that transport russian oil around the world and threaten the environment.
The vessel is also involved in the transportation of Iranian crude oil/petroleum products. Since the start of russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, more than 100 vessels that previously helped Iran export oil are now helping russia transport russian crude oil/petroleum products.
Many tankers involved in transporting Iranian oil to countries such as China are involved in Venezuelan trade, including tanker IMO 9273052. On June 11, 2022, Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi signed a 20-year cooperation agreement to expand ties in the oil and petrochemical industries, as well as in the military and economic spheres. Since then, bilateral ties have begun to develop. Most cargoes are transported by vessels of the sanctioned National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) in both directions. A significant number of vessels flying under foreign (non-Iranian) flags are also involved in this trade.
Since December 17 and 23, 2024, the EU and Switzerland have imposed sanctions on the tanker for transporting crude oil or petroleum products originating in or exported from russia, using irregular shipping practices with a high degree of risk, as specified in Resolution A.1192(33) of the General Assembly of the International Maritime Organization.
On January 10, 2025, the US imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On May 9, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker.
In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
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.
On February 21, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of the vessel.
On October 2, 2026, Japan imposed sanctions on the vessel.

In 2024, the tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil to third countries from russian ports in the Baltic Sea and the Pacific region.
The tanker is also involved in the transportation of Iranian oil.
Tanker IMO 9257137 is linked to anonymous Chinese buyers who spent approximately $376 million on the purchase of a group of 13 tankers for high-risk transportation of crude oil of russian origin. Among these 13 tankers are seven VLCCs, five Aframaxes, and one Suezmax. The vessels were purchased through 20 separate but interconnected single-vessel shell companies from Hong Kong and the PRC.
Subsequently, all but one of the tankers were engaged in transshipment of wet cargo in international waters, in areas 860 nautical miles west of Portugal.
On December 03, 2024, USA imposed sanctions on the tanker.
Since May 21 and June 3, 2025, the EU and Switzerland, respectively, have imposed sanctions on the vessel for transporting crude oil/petroleum products originating in or exported from rRussia, using irregular shipping practices with a high degree of risk, as specified in Resolution A.1192(33) of the General Assembly of the International Maritime Organization.
On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In November 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In early January 2026, the tanker MIN HANG (IMO 9257137), as part of a group of tankers, attempted to leave Venezuelan waters in dark mode (with AIS transponders turned off) to bypass the US blockade as part of Operation Southern Spear. After the US detained another vessel from this group (OLINA (IMO 9282479)) on January 9, 2026, the tanker MIN HANG (IMO 9257137) and two other vessels (THALIA III (IMO 9259197) and MEROPE (IMO 9281891)) returned to Venezuelan waters. All of these tankers were loaded with oil belonging to the sanctioned Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA.
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 tanker is involved in the transportation of sanctioned Iranian oil, conducting dark activities at sea, in particular, for the STS oil transfer in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean with the participation of EMILY S (IMO 9321847), Merope (IMO 9281891), Skadi (IMO 9230971).
The vessel is affiliated with the Chinese company Shanghai Legendary Ship Management Company Limited (under USA sanctions), whose fleet has been involved in the illegal transportation of millions of barrels of Iranian oil since at least 2022.
On December 03, 2024, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Many tankers involved in transporting Iranian oil to countries such as China are also involved in Venezuelan trade, including tanker IMO 9292163. On June 11, 2022, Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi signed a 20-year cooperation agreement to expand ties in the oil and petrochemical industries, as well as in the military and economic spheres. Since then, bilateral ties have begun to develop. Most cargo is transported by ships belonging to the sanctioned National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) in both directions. A significant number of ships flying under foreign (non-Iranian) flags are also involved in this trade.
In March 2025, the US imposed a 25% tariff on countries importing Venezuelan oil. As part of Operation Southern Spear in December 2025, the US imposed a blockade on oil tankers entering/leaving Venezuelan ports. As part of the blockade, the US detained several tankers off the coast of Venezuela in December 2025 and early January 2026. At the same time, at least 16 tankers left Venezuelan waters in an attempt to avoid the naval blockade by the US Navy. The vessels, most of which were loaded with Venezuelan crude oil/petroleum products, left Venezuelan territorial waters with their AIS signals disabled, falsifying their coordinates to conceal their actual location. Among the 16 tankers, 15 vessels are under sanctions for transporting Iranian and russian crude oil/petroleum products. According to satellite images, tanker IMO 9292163 was tracked about 30 miles off the coast of Venezuela. At the same time, the ship used the name "Ekta" on its hull and signaled coordinates near the coast of Nigeria. The tanker probably loaded Venezuelan oil in circumvention of US sanctions and left Venezuela's main oil terminal, Puerto Jose, heading northeast.

The tanker is involved in the export of sanctioned russian crude oil/oil products from russian ports in the Black Sea, Baltic Sea, and Pacific region, including through deceptive practices.
The tanker is considered to be part of the shadow fleet, affiliated with SUNNE CO LIMITED, which was sanctioned by USA on January 10, 2025 for its activities in the energy sector of the russian federation.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel as a property in which SUNNE CO LIMITED has an interest.
According to GISIS IMO data, as of July 17, 2025, the vessel's flag is unknown. At the same time, the vessel uses the flag of Panama.
Since September 12, 2025, the United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since October 24, 2025, the EU has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In November 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Switzerland has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On January 3, 2026, tanker IMO 9281152 became one of at least 16 tankers that left Venezuelan ports in defiance of the naval blockade imposed by the US as part of Operation Southern Spear in late 2025. The ship likely left with a cargo of Venezuelan crude oil or fuel oil, using the name Cape Balder.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 20, 2026, New Zealand imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 21, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of the vessel.

The tanker is affiliated with the Vietnamese company 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.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel as a property in which Sao Viet Petrol Transportation Company Limited has an interest.
Since September 12, 2025, the United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In November 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The VLCC tanker is involved in the transportation of Iranian, Venezuelan, and russian crude oil.
In particular, the vessel is involved in STS transshipments from tankers carrying sanctioned Iranian or Venezuelan crude oil at anchorages near Malaysia and China.
The tanker was purchased from DHT Tankers and is affiliated with an anonymous Chinese buyer who spent approximately $376 million to acquire a group of 13 tankers for high-risk transportation of russian crude oil in the Atlantic Ocean. Among these 13 tankers are seven VLCC vessels, five Aframax vessels, and one Suezmax vessel. The vessels were purchased by an anonymous buyer through 20 separate but interrelated one-ship shell companies from Hong Kong and China.
Subsequently, all but one of the tankers were involved in transshipment of wet cargoes in international waters, in areas 860 nautical miles west of Portugal.
The registered owners, commercial managers, and technical managers of this group of tankers have almost identical registration addresses in Dalian (PRC) and two identical addresses in Hong Kong.
This group of tankers is considered a hub for the transshipment of russian crude oil to the PRC in the mid-Atlantic.
Logistical STS hubs allow to hide the ownership and origin of cargo.
The tanker, considered to be part of the shadow fleet, is affiliated with SUNNE CO LIMITED, which was sanctioned by the US on January 10, 2025, for its activities in the russian energy sector.
On January 10, 2025, the United States imposed sanctions on the vessel as property in which SUNNE CO LIMITED has an interest.
Since September 12, 2025, the United Kingdom has imposed sanctions as part of restrictions on the russian shadow fleet.
In November 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On January 7, 2026, the US military (US Southern Command) intercepted and detained tanker IMO 9289477 in international waters in the Caribbean Sea. At the time of detention, the tanker was fully loaded with approximately 1.8-2 million barrels of Venezuelan crude oil of the Merey grade. At the time of detention, the tanker was also listed as "stateless" due to its sanctioned status. As of January 10, 2026, the vessel was heading for the US coast under the escort of the US Coast Guard.

The tanker (VLCC class) is engaged in the illegal transportation of hundreds of thousands of metric tons of sanctioned Iranian oil on behalf of the sanctioned National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), which is one of the largest oil and gas companies in the world and is controlled by the Iranian Ministry of Oil, and the sanctioned China Concord Petroleum Company, which was sanctioned by USA in late 2019 for violating restrictions on the handling and transaction of Iranian oil. Iran relies on an extensive network of tankers and ship management companies in many jurisdictions to transport its oil to consumers, using deceptive tactics (falsification of documentation, manipulation of ship tracking systems, constant changes of names and flags of vessels).
The tanker is affiliated with Shanghai Future Ship Management Co Ltd (China), which was sanctioned by USA on December 03, 2024 for its activities in the oil sector of the Iranian economy.
On December 03, 2024, USA imposed sanctions on the tanker.
Many tankers involved in transporting Iranian oil to countries such as China are involved in Venezuelan trade, including tanker IMO 9326055.
In March 2025, the US imposed a 25% tariff on countries importing Venezuelan oil. As part of Operation Southern Spear in December 2025, the US imposed a blockade on sanctioned oil tankers entering/leaving Venezuelan ports. As part of the blockade, the US detained several tankers off the coast of Venezuela in December 2025 and early January 2026. At the same time, at least 16 tankers left Venezuelan waters in an attempt to avoid the naval blockade by the US Navy. The vessels, most of which were loaded with Venezuelan crude oil/petroleum products, left Venezuelan territorial waters with their AIS signals turned off, falsifying their coordinates to conceal their actual location. Among the 16 tankers, 15 vessels are under sanctions for transporting Iranian and russian crude oil/petroleum products.
According to satellite images, tanker IMO 9326055 was tracked about 30 miles off the coast of Venezuela. The vessel used the name "DS Vector" (IMO 9203289, which was scrapped in 2018) and transmitted a false AIS signal, creating the illusion of its presence near the West African coast. The tanker likely loaded Venezuelan oil in circumvention of US sanctions and left Venezuela's main oil terminal, Puerto Jose, heading northeast.

The tanker is involved in the transportation of sanctioned Iranian crude oil to China worth more than $100 million on behalf of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including from storage facilities in China, which is believed to be part of an organized scheme that involves the Iranian military, which profits from the sale of Iranian oil through the vessel. The vessel resorts to deceptive, high-risk practices.
On February 06, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Many tankers involved in transporting Iranian oil to countries such as China are also involved in Venezuelan trade, including tanker IMO 9237632. On June 11, 2022, Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi signed a 20-year cooperation agreement to expand ties in the oil and petrochemical industries, as well as in the military and economic spheres. Since then, bilateral ties have begun to develop. Most cargo is transported by ships belonging to the sanctioned National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) in both directions. A significant number of ships flying under foreign (non-Iranian) flags are also involved in this trade.

During the period of the G7+ oil embargo and the price-cap policy on russian crude oil / petroleum products, the VLCC tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil / petroleum products via STS transfers. The tanker is also involved in the transportation of Iranian and Venezuelan crude oil / petroleum products (Jose terminal).
The vessel received crude oil through STS operations from three Aframax tankers in Morocco, two of which are affiliated with the sanctioned company One Moon Marine Services, which ensured the export of russian crude oil / petroleum products through its fleet.
In August 2024, the tanker carried out an STS transfer in the Gwangyang anchorage area (South Korea) with the sanctioned tanker IMO 9301407, affiliated with the sanctioned russian PJSC Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia for servicing and supporting offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian crude oil, petroleum products, and liquefied natural gas. The main 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.
Since February 25, March 4, 2025, the EU and Switzerland respectively have imposed sanctions on the tanker for the transportation of crude oil/oil 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 July 18, 2025, the EU amended the sanctions).
On May 28, 2026, the United States imposed sanctions on a tanker for transporting Iranian crude oil on at least three occasions between August 2025 and May 2026 through ship-to-ship (STS) transfers, including with the sanctioned tanker IMO 9237539.
In June 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The VLCC tanker is involved in the transportation of Iranian oil, as well as in the export of russian oil/petroleum products during the G7+ oil embargo and price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products.
On 13 March 2025, the United States imposed sanctions on Turquoise Sea Marine Limited (Seychelles), the owner of the tanker, for its activities in the petroleum sector of the Iranian economy. On the same date, the United States imposed sanctions on the tanker as property in which Turquoise Sea Marine Limited has an interest.
Since December 25, 2025, the owner and manager of the large-tonnage 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. The company also became the owner of two other 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);
GALLILEO IMO 9256860 (under US sanctions), detained on January 15, 2026, in the Caribbean Sea as part of Operation Southern Spear by marines and sailors from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford on charges of violating the US naval blockade and sanctions against Venezuela, as well as transporting Venezuelan oil.
As of January 15, 2026, the tanker IMO 9153525 last transmitted its coordinates on January 1, 2026, while anchored in the Caribbean Sea off the coast of Aruba.

The tanker was used by the oil broker Petronix Energy Trading Limited (Hong Kong) to transport and further deliver to China hundreds of metric tons of Iranian oil purchased from Naftiran Intertrade Company, which is the marketing arm of the sanctioned National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC). Iran relies on brokers outside of Iran to facilitate the sale and transport of its crude oil to end users abroad, largely in the UAE and China.
The tanker is affiliated with Alkonost Maritime DMCC (UAE), which was sanctioned by USA on February 24, 2025 for knowingly engaging in a significant transaction in the purchase, acquisition, sale, transportation or marketing of crude oil or petroleum products or petrochemicals from Iran.
On February 24, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the tanker as a property in which the sanctioned company Alkonost Maritime DMCC has an interest.
Many tankers involved in transporting Iranian oil to countries such as China are also involved in Venezuelan trade, including tanker IMO 9271406. On June 11, 2022, Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi signed a 20-year cooperation agreement to expand ties in the oil and petrochemical industries, as well as in the military and economic spheres. Since then, bilateral ties have begun to develop. Most cargo is transported by ships belonging to the sanctioned National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) in both directions. A significant number of ships flying under foreign (non-Iranian) flags are also involved in this trade.

In January 2025, tanker IMO 9227479 carried out an STS transfer near Malaysia with tanker IMO 9238052, which was subject to US sanctions in January 2025 as a tanker considered part of the shadow fleet, calling at a russian port where the price of oil was consistently trading above the price cap for russian oil. After this transfer, the vessel IMO 9238052 entered a Chinese port.
The tanker is affiliated with Delta Ships Management Ltd, which was the commercial manager of the vessel from March 2023 to October 2024. Delta Ships Management Ltd has been managing the sanctioned tanker IMO 9319674 since mid-2023, affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management, which played a key role in the transportation of russian crude oil/petroleum products under western sanctions in 2022-2023.