Marine Vessels

The tanker has been implicated in the transportation of sanctioned Iranian crude oil for the sanctioned China Concord Petroleum Company, which was sanctioned by the United States in late 2019 for violating restrictions on the processing and transaction of Iranian oil, as well as the sanctioned National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), one of the largest oil and gas companies in the world controlled by the Iranian Ministry of Oil, and its sanctioned subsidiary Naftiran Intertrade Company (NICO). Iran relies on an extensive network of tankers and ship management companies in multiple jurisdictions to transport its oil to consumers, using deceptive tactics (falsifying documentation, manipulating vessel tracking systems, and constantly changing vessel names and flags).
The tanker is affiliated with Ocean Glory Giant OGG SA (Panama), which was sanctioned by the United States on December 3, 2024, for its activities in the oil sector of the Iranian economy.
On December 3, 2024, the United States imposed sanctions on the tanker as property in which Ocean Glory Giant OGG SA has an interest.

The tanker has been involved in the transportation of sanctioned Iranian oil since at least 2022 in the interests 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.
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).
The tanker is affiliated with the Indian company Tightship Shipping Management (OPC) Private Limited, 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 as a property in which Tightship Shipping Management (OPC) Private Limited has an interest.

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).
Many tankers involved in transporting Iranian oil to countries such as China are also involved in Venezuelan trade, including tanker IMO 9198317. 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.
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.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

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) 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.
According to GISIS IMO data, as of July 16, 2025, the vessel's registered name is YURI, and the flag is designated as "Eswatini False". At the same time, the vessel sails under the name COBA, the flag of Curacao.

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.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has 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.
On February 12, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On April, 2026, the EU 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 VLCC tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products, in particular, through STS transfers near European countries.
In particular, the tanker carried out STS transmissions with the sanctioned tanker IMO 9419448 in July 2024 in the Gulf of Lakonikos (Greece), which left the russian port of Ust-Luga on June 23, 2024. There are also STS transmissions in the Laconikos Gulf (Greece) with the super tanker IMO 9402732, 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/petroleum products in 2022-2023 under Western sanctions. The super tanker IMO 9402732 carries out STS transmissions with tankers delivering russian crude oil/petroleum products, in particular from russian ports in the Black Sea. Earlier, there were STS transmissions in the Laconikos Gulf with the tanker IMO 9144782 of the shadow fleet built in 1997, which is also involved in the transportation of Iranian oil.
Transshipment of crude oil/petroleum products of russian origin by STS method allows to conceal the ownership and origin of the cargo, legalize their supply to EU countries, USA and other countries. In turn, the sale of crude oil/petroleum products on the world market allows accumulating significant financial resources in the state budget of the russian federation, which are used, among other things, to build up the military potential of the aggressor state and to provide material support for russia's military operations on the territory of Ukraine.
The tanker is also involved in the transportation of Iranian oil and petroleum products.

The tanker during the period of the G7+ oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/oil products is involved in the export of russian crude oil/oil products, including the use of deceptive, high-risk practices, including the conduct of dark activities near russian ports in the Black Sea, in the Sea of Azov near the Kerch Strait, near the FSO IMO 9217979 (under USA sanctions) in the Kola Bay, and STS transfers of russian crude oil/oil products in the Gulf of Laconikos in July and September 2024 with tankers IMO 9232931 and IMO 9252333, respectively.
The tanker also transported sanctioned Iranian crude oil and switched to transporting russian crude oil.
The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as a shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment.
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.
Since September 18, 2025, Australia has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

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.