Marine vessels

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price-cap policy on russian oil, the tanker was involved in the export of russian oil to third countries from russian ports. The vessel is affiliated with Gatik Ship Management (India), which in 2022-2023 was among the top players in the shadow tanker fleet involved in the export of russian oil, as well as with the Gatik-related company Gaurik Ship Management LLP. Under the sanctions, russia has begun to build up its own shadow fleet of outdated tankers, which has no 'ties' with the G7 and the EU and can transport oil in violation of price caps. russia disguises its shadow activities at sea under the 'convenient' flags of third countries, operates at sea without proper insurance from the international club of insurers, uses complex schemes to conceal the owners of the shadow fleet, uses various deceptive tactics to conceal the origin of its cargo, creates threats to environmental safety with large-scale economic costs for coastal countries due to the growing threat of oil spills, does not use pilots to navigate difficult areas, etc. russia's 'shadow fleet' continues to provide multibillion-dollar revenues for the kremlin bypassing sanctions, disguising its activities under the flags of third countries, using complex schemes to conceal owners, and poses significant environmental threats with significant economic costs to coastal countries and/or the international community due to the outdated and inadequate insurance of shadow fleet tankers. On November 25, 2024, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on a tanker in connection with the transportation of russian oil/oil products from the russian federation to a third country as part of the restrictions on the russian shadow fleet. On February 21, 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel. 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).

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price-cap policy on russian oil, the tanker is involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports to third countries. The international non-governmental organization Greenpeace refers to the tanker as a shadowy fleet of tankers that transport russian oil around the world and threaten the environment. Under the sanctions, russia has begun to build up its own shadow fleet of outdated tankers, which has no 'ties' with the G7 and the EU and can transport oil in violation of price caps. russia disguises its shadow activities at sea under the 'convenient' flags of third countries, operates at sea without proper insurance from the international club of insurers, uses complex schemes to conceal the owners of the shadow fleet, uses various deceptive tactics to conceal the origin of its cargo, creates threats to environmental safety with large-scale economic costs for coastal countries due to the growing threat of oil spills, does not use pilots to navigate difficult areas, etc. russia's 'shadow fleet' continues to provide multibillion-dollar revenues for the kremlin bypassing sanctions, disguising its activities under the flags of third countries, using complex schemes to conceal owners, and poses significant environmental threats with significant economic costs to coastal countries and/or the international community due to the outdated and inadequate insurance of shadow fleet tankers. On November 25, 2024, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on a tanker in connection with the transportation of russian oil/oil products from the russian federation to a third country as part of the restrictions on the russian shadow fleet. On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on a vessel considered to be part of the shadow fleet that called at a russian port where the oil price was constantly above the price cap. On February 21, 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo on russian oil, the tanker is involved in the export of russian oil/oil products from the russian port of Primorsk in the Baltic Sea to third countries. 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 company Caishan Ship Management, which is affiliated with Gatik, which in 2023, together with Gaurik Ship Management LLP, Galena Ship Management, Plutos Ship Management, Geras Ship Management, Girik Ship Management, Orion Ship Management LLP, Nautilus Shipping (India), Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment LLC, Zidan Ship Management, was involved in a scheme to 'juggle' vessels operated by Gatik Ship Management to avoid sanctions. Gatik Ship Management and Caishan Ship Management 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. As sanctions are being imposed, russia uses a scheme of "juggling" ships between related companies to conceal oil exports outside the price cap and other restrictions, as well as to hide the real owners of ships, and to ensure unimpeded transportation of fossil fuels by a 'shadow' fleet of obsolete oil tankers, creates new companies for these purposes (in the UAE, Hong Kong, India, Turkey, Mauritius, Seychelles, and other jurisdictions) with non-transparent organizational and ownership structures. In order to implement this scheme, technical/commercial management and ship owners are constantly changing, and vessels are renamed with a change of flag, MMSI, call-sign, including for sanctioned vessels. Shadow fleet vessels operate under “convenient flags”, which allows them to conceal their true origin and avoid control by international organizations and insurance companies. The 'shadow' fleet, transporting huge volumes of crude oil through heavily trafficked routes through narrow straits close to the coastline, without proper P&I insurance, with automatic identification systems disabled, threatens an environmental disaster with significant economic costs to be borne by the affected coastal countries and/or the international community. 'Shadow' tankers have already been involved in 50 incidents from the Danish Straits all the way to Malaysia since russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. russia's 'shadow fleet' continues to provide multibillion-dollar revenues for the kremlin bypassing sanctions, disguising its activities under the flags of third countries, using complex schemes to conceal owners, and poses significant environmental threats with significant economic costs to coastal countries and/or the international community due to the outdated and inadequate insurance of shadow fleet tankers. On November 25, 2024, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on a tanker in connection with the transportation of russian oil/oil products from the russian federation to a third country as part of the restrictions on the russian shadow fleet. On February 21, 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is involved in the export of sanctioned russian crude oil/oil products from russian ports in the Baltic sea (Ust-Luga, Primorsk) mainly to India, the Pacific region (Kozmino) to China, and resorts to deceptive, highly exploitative practices with the disabling of AIS near Malaysia, russia.The tanker called at a russian port where the price of oil was constantly exceeding the price cap of $60 per barrel of russian 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 January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel. On February 24, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel. 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); promoting or supporting actions/policies aimed at the exploitation, development or expansion of the energy sector in russia, including energy infrastructure (EU sanctions will enter into force on February 25, 2025).

During the period of the G7+ oil embargo and the price cap on russian oil, the tanker is involved in the export of russian oil/oil products from russian ports in the Black and Baltic Seas to third countries. 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).

The tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil to third countries from russian ports in the Black and Baltic Seas, including with AIS disabled, was involved in the transportation of Venezuelan oil and switched to the transportation of sanctioned russian oil. The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of a shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world through the Baltic Sea, the Cadet Canal area in the Bay of Mecklenburg and threatening the environment. The tanker is flagged by Cameroon, which is included in the Paris MOU on the blacklist of flags, which is formed based on the results of inspections of the technical condition of ships. According to the Lloyds List analytical center, the tanker is an example of high-risk, dark and fraudulent activities related to fraudulent actions of technical management companies that led to the assignment of unique numbers by the International Maritime Organization. In this regard, an intersessional working group was established by the IMO Legal Committee to determine the levels of due diligence required for the use of the unique company owner identification number scheme and IMO registered owners.

During the period of the G7+ oil embargo and the price cap on russian oil, the tanker is involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports, in particular, in the Baltic Sea, to third countries. The vessel, through related companies, in particular Fornax Ship Management, the sanctioned companies Oil Tankers SCF MGMT FZCO, Sun Ship Management, SCF Management Services Cyprus, affiliated with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia, a key company for servicing and supporting offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian oil, petroleum products, liquefied natural gas amidst the application of sanctions restrictions to the russian federation after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The services provided by Sovcomflot are a significant source of income for russia, as more than 70% of russia's revenues come from the sale of energy, which allows it to finance its war against 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. Prior to russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the company's fleet consisted of about 145 vessels. After the sanctions were imposed, Sovcomflot transferred dozens of vessels to the ownership of companies it had set up, including in foreign jurisdictions, in order to circumvent them, and began the practice of constantly 'juggling' (transferring) vessels to related companies. According to expert estimates, the tankers 'transferred' by Sovcomflot to related companies are part of the so-called 'shadow tanker fleet' of the russian federation to continue selling russian oil, oil products, and liquefied gas under western sanctions. On December 16, 2024, the EU imposed sanctions on the vessel (effective December 17, 2024). On December 23, 2024, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel. On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker, during the period of the G7+ oil embargo and the price cap on russian oil, is involved in the transportation of russian oil from russian ports in the Black and Baltic Seas to third countries, and resorts to manipulating AIS, conducting dark activities in the Black Sea, in particular in the Kerch Strait, when AIS shows the location of the vessel at the Moscow airport. The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of a shadowy fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment. On 24 February 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports in the Black and Baltic Seas, mainly to India. The vessel is owned by russia's sanctioned Rosneft. On December 16, 2024, the EU imposed sanctions on the vessel (effective December 17, 2024) in relation to contributing to, supporting actions or policies aimed at the exploitation, development or expansion of the energy sector in russia, including energy infrastructure. On December 23, 2024, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel in connection with promoting, supporting actions or policies aimed at the exploitation, development or expansion of the energy sector in russia, including energy infrastructure. On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.

During the period of the G7+ oil embargo and the price cap on russian oil, the tanker is involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports, in particular, in the Baltic and Black Seas, to third countries. The vessel is certified by the Indian Register of Shipping (IACS). The vessel through related companies, in particular Fornax Ship Management, sanctioned companies Oil Tankers SCF MGMT FZCO, Sun Ship Management, is affiliated with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia, a key company for servicing and supporting offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian oil, petroleum products, liquefied natural gas amidst the application of sanctions restrictions to the russian federation after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The services provided by Sovcomflot are a significant source of income for russia, as more than 70% of russia's revenues come from the sale of energy, which allows it to finance its war against 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. Prior to russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the company's fleet consisted of about 145 vessels. After the sanctions were imposed, Sovcomflot transferred dozens of vessels to the ownership of companies it had set up, including in foreign jurisdictions, in order to circumvent them, and began the practice of constantly 'juggling' (transferring) vessels to related companies. According to expert estimates, the tankers 'transferred' by Sovcomflot to related companies are part of the so-called 'shadow tanker fleet' of the russian federation to continue selling russian oil, oil products, and liquefied gas under western sanctions. On December 16, 2024, the EU imposed sanctions on the vessel (effective December 17, 2024). On December 23, 2024, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel.

During the period of the G7+ oil embargo and the russian oil price ceiling, the tanker is involved in the export of russian oil from russian facilities, in particular, in the Baltic Sea to third countries. The vessel, through its related companies, including Fornax Ship Management, the sanctioned companies Oil Tankers SCF MGMT FZCO, Sun Ship Management, SCF Management Services Cyprus, is affiliated with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia, a key company for servicing and supporting offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian oil, petroleum products, liquefied natural gas amidst the application of sanctions restrictions to the russian federation after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The services provided by Sovcomflot are a significant source of income for russia, as more than 70% of russia's revenues come from the sale of energy, which allows it to finance its war against 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. Prior to russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the company's fleet consisted of about 145 vessels. After the sanctions were imposed, Sovcomflot transferred dozens of vessels to the ownership of companies it had set up, including in foreign jurisdictions, in order to circumvent them, and began the practice of constantly 'juggling' (transferring) vessels to related companies. According to expert estimates, the tankers 'transferred' by Sovcomflot to related companies are part of the so-called 'shadow tanker fleet' of the russian federation to continue selling russian oil, oil products, and liquefied gas under western sanctions. On December 16, 2024, the EU imposed sanctions on the vessel (effective December 17, 2024). On December 23, 2024, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel. On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports in the Baltic Sea, mainly to India. The new generation Arfamax LNG tanker, built in 2022, is part of the fleet of the sanctioned russian state-owned shipping company Sovcomflot (SCF Group). The vessel has a carrying capacity of 112,650 tons and was built at the sanctioned russian shipbuilding complex Zvezda in Primorsky Krai with funds from the sanctioned russian state development corporation VEB.rf. The ice-class 1A/1B tanker is 250 m long and 44 m wide and is capable of year-round transportation of oil from areas with difficult ice conditions, including ports in the russian Far East and Baltic basin. The vessel is believed to be chartered by Rosneft under a long-term agreement. 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 January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.