Marine vessels

The tanker has been involved in the transportation of millions of barrels of sanctioned Iranian crude oil since at least 2022 for the sanctioned China Concord Petroleum Company, which was sanctioned by USA in late 2019 for violating restrictions on the processing and transaction of Iranian oil, and for engaging in deceptive practices (falsification of identification and location). The tanker is affiliated with Vision Ship Management LLP, 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 vessel.

The tanker is affiliated with Vision Ship Management LLP, an Indian-based company whose vessels are involved in the transportation of millions of barrels of sanctioned Iranian crude oil for the benefit of 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. On December 03, 2024, USA imposed sanctions on Vision Ship Management LLP for its activities in the oil sector of the Iranian economy. Previously, RIO NAPO had transported 35 thousand metric tons of Iranian oil to the UAE worth approximately $21.5 million. On December 03, 2024, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel as a property in which Vision Ship Management LLP has an interest.

The tanker is involved in skirting sanctions on oil transportation for Iran. On December 03, 2024, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker has been involved in the transportation of sanctioned Iranian oil, in particular to China, since at least 2020. 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 ship names and flags). The tanker is affiliated with Yurimaguas Ltd, a company registered in the Marshall Islands, 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.

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.

The tanker (VLCC class) has been involved in the transportation of sanctioned Iranian oil, in particular, to China since at least 2020, and shipment of Iranian crude oil in the interests of the sanctioned China Concord Petroleum Company, which was sanctioned by USA at the end of 2019 for violating restrictions on processing and transactions with Iranian oil, as well as 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. 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 ship names and flags). The tanker is affiliated with Yurimaguas Ltd, a company registered in the Marshall Islands, 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.

The tanker is involved in the transportation of sanctioned Iranian crude oil to China, including from storage facilities in China, which is considered part of an established scheme involving the Iranian military, which profits from the sale of Iranian oil through the vessel. In August 2024, the tanker HEDY (IMO 9212888) of the sanctioned National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) was transferred from ship to ship and received more than 600,000 barrels of Iranian crude oil. NITC is a subsidiary 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. NIOC and its subsidiaries explore, produce, transport, process and export oil and natural gas in Iran. Oil revenues provide the Iranian regime with the resources to finance its nuclear program, develop advanced drones and missiles, and provide ongoing financial and material support for the terrorist activities of its regional proxies. The vessel resorts to deceptive, high-risk practices. On February 06, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is involved in the transportation of sanctioned Iranian crude oil to China worth tens of millions of dollars. The vessel calls at the russian ports of Ust-Luga and Primorsk in the Baltic Sea using deceptive, high-risk practices. On February 06, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.

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.

During the period of the G7+ oil embargo and the price-cap policy on russian crude oil/oil products, the VLCC tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/oil products through STS transfers. According to United Against Nuclear Iran, the tanker is involved in the illicit transportation of Iranian crude oil/oil products. The tanker 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/oil 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. 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).

The VLCC class tanker is involved in the transportation of Iranian oil. The tanker was also used in the interests of the russian federation to carry out STS transfers of russian petroleum/petroleum products during the period of the G7+ petroleum embargo and price-cap policy on russian petroleum/petroleum products. On March 13, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on United Tankers Ltd (Marshall Islands) and Lake View Ship Management Private Limited (India), which are the owner and manager of the tanker, respectively, in connection with their activities in the petroleum sector of the Iranian economy. On March 13, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the tanker as a property in which United Tankers Ltd has an interest.

The vessel is involved in the transportation of Iranian oil using deceptive practices, including manipulation of AIS to conceal attempts to transport Iranian crude oil. The tanker is also involved in the export of russian crude oil/oil products from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas during the period of the G7+ oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/oil products. On March 13, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on Sun Science International Co. Limited, the owner, operator and manager of the tanker, in connection with its activities in the oil sector of the Iranian economy. On March 13, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the tanker as a property in which Sun Science International Co. Limited has an interest.