Marine vessels

The tanker is involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas, mainly to India, Turkey, and other third countries, and uses the practice of disabling AIS in the Black Sea near Kherson region, TOT Crimea of Ukraine. On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel. From July 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions on a tanker for transporting crude oil/petroleum products that originate in russia or are exported from russia using irregular and high-risk shipping practices as set out in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly resolution A.1192 (33). According to the database of the Global Integrated Shipping Information System of the International Maritime Organization (IMO's GISIS), as of July 21, 2025, the vessel's registered name is VIRAT, flag of Barbados. At the same time, the vessel sails under the flag of the Comoros.

Since August 2023, the tanker has been involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports in the Baltic, Black Seas, and the Pacific region, mainly to India, China, and Turkey. The last change of ownership of the vessel took place in July 2023, which indicates that the tanker was purchased, in particular, for the purpose of transporting russian oil. 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 Under the sanctions, russia has begun to build up its own shadow fleet of outdated tankers, which has no 'ties' with the G7 and the EU and can transport oil in violation of price caps.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threats with significant economic costs to coastal countries and/or the international community due to the outdated and inadequate insurance of shadow fleet tankers.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, 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 the vessel. On February 21, 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel. 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.

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 oil to third countries from russian ports, and resorts to the practice of turning off the AIS signal, conducting so-called 'dark activities' at sea. The tanker is affiliated with One Moon Marine Services LLC (UAE, under UK sanctions), a company affiliated with the sanctioned operators of the so-called 'shadow' fleet involved in the export of russian oil. After its establishment, One Moon Marine Services LLC 'received' a number of tankers, including the sanctioned vessel 'Ocean Amz', from the shadow fleet operators Radiating World Shipping Services and Voyages Shipping Services. Since November 2023, One Moon Marine Services LLC has started transporting russian oil without P&I insurance. Other vessels were transferred to Alqutb Ashamali Marine Services, Breath Shipping Services, etc. The constant change of owners and managers of vessels to avoid sanctions and conceal the true beneficiaries of the vessels is typical for the so-called 'shadow fleet' involved in the russian oil and oil products trade. Oil exports from russia are the most important source of income for the kremlin regime to finance the war against Ukraine. The tax on oil production collected by the russian federation in 2023 amounted to 8.9 trillion rubles, or 31% of russia's total federal revenues. The shadow tanker fleet continues to generate multibillion-dollar revenues for the Kremlin by circumventing sanctions, disguising its activities under third-country flags, using complex schemes to conceal owners, and poses significant environmental safety hazards with significant economic costs to coastal countries and/or the international community due to the outdated and inadequately insured shadow fleet tankers. On December 17, 2024, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on a vessel in connection with the transportation of oil or oil products originating in russia or from russia to a third country. 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); 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). In June 2025, Australia imposed sanctions on the vessel. On June 19, 2025, New Zealand imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker, during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo, the price-cap policy on ussian oil, has been involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports in the Baltic Sea to third countries since March 2023. The vessel is involved in the transportation of Venezuelan oil. In early December 2023, the tanker LIBERTY (the former name of the tanker) under the flag of Cameroon ran aground in the Strait of Malacca, which forced the Singaporean authorities to send 5 tugboats to the scene and prepare for an oil spill. In June 2023, the vessel entered the port of Ust-Luga, after which it was recorded with geometric circles off the coast of Angola in August-October. This location was previously associated with the Venezuelan dark fleet trade, in which tankers give out their location in Angola to disguise their real operations in Latin America. The vessel then sailed into the Indian Ocean via the Cape of Good Hope and arrived in Singapore in late November 2023, where it ran aground on December 2. Satellite research conducted by TankerTrackers.com claims that the LIBERTY was loaded with almost a million barrels of Venezuelan fuel oil. After the incident, the vessel changed its name from LIBERTY to VERNAL and the vessel's management. The Maritime Executive noted that Cameroon had become a 'shelter' for a shadow fleet, including those involved in the transportation of sanctioned russian oil. Vessels registered under the Cameroon flag have been linked to other oil smuggling operations, including in Iran and Venezuela. The international public organization Greenpeace refers to the tanker as a shadow fleet of tankers that transport russian oil around the world and threaten the environment. From July 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions on a tanker for transporting crude oil/petroleum products that originate in russia or are exported from russia using irregular and high-risk shipping practices as set out in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly resolution A.1192 (33).

The tanker during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products, and actively engages in dark activities in the Kerch Strait area, TOT of Crimea. The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of a shadow fleet of tankers that transport russian oil around the world and threaten the environment. According to the United Against Nuclear Iran, the tanker is involved in the transportation of Iranian oil, and after the start of russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, it has been helping russia to transport russian crude oil/petroleum products. The tanker is included in the list of "The Maduro-Khamenei Oil Alliance: List of Foreign Flagged Vessels Shipping Iranian and Venezuelan Oil" compiled by the United Against Nuclear Iran. According to UANI, the vessel is one of the tankers that do not belong to the sanctioned National Iranian Tanker Company, sail under foreign flags (not the flag of Iran) and participate in Iranian-Venezuelan trade, which has been actively developing since Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi signed a 20-year cooperation agreement in June 2022 to expand ties in the oil and petrochemical industries, military and economic spheres. Under this agreement, Iran supplies Venezuela with crude oil and gas condensate, and Venezuela supplies Iran with fuel oil. The tanker is connected to an incident that threatens environmental safety in the Gulf of Finland and poses significant risks to coastal countries. In February 2025, explosions occurred in the engine room of a tanker loaded with fuel oil in the port of Ust-Luga. The 24-member crew managed to reach the shore without injury, but as a result of the incident, the vessel ran aground with its stern, and the russian Emergencies Ministry installed booms around the vessel. The Federal Agency for Maritime and River Transport of russia stated that the cargo tanks of the tanker were not damaged and there was no leakage of oil products. The tanker is affiliated with the sanctioned Cypriot company Lagosmarine Limited, which was the tanker's manager. In January 2025, USA imposed sanctions on Lagosmarine Limited for its activities in the energy sector of the russian federation and as the technical manager of a crude oil tanker that made several calls to a russian port where the price of oil was constantly exceeding the price cap. After sanctions were imposed on the Cypriot company Lagosmarine Limited, the management of the vessel was changed to Vesta Shipmanagement Ltd (UAE). 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.

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 from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas, and is engaged in dark activities, in particular in the Black Sea south of the TOT of Crimea. The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of a shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment. The tanker was affiliated with Ocean Coral Ship Management LTD, which managed the tanker IMO 9208069, until USA sanctioned on January 10, 2025, a significant number of ships considered to be shadow fleet. On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the tanker IMO 9266853, which is considered to be part of the shadow fleet, called at the russian port where the oil price constantly exceeds the upper limit of the price cap, and was managed by Ocean Coral Ship Management LTD as of the date of sanctions. In order to avoid the application of sanctions to the tanker IMO 9208069 involved in sanctioned trade, after the adoption of the sanctions package by USA on January 10, 2025, the management of the tanker IMO 9208069 was transferred from Ocean Coral Ship Management LTD (Hong Kong), which was incorporated on January 24, 2024, to Elite Marine Ship Management LTD (Hong Kong), which was incorporated on July 24, 2024. 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. In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel. 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 oil, the tanker is involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas, mainly to China and India, and resorts to the practice of conducting 'dark' activities at sea with the AIS signal turned off. On January 10, 2025, a 19-year-old tanker loaded with russian oil (99 thousand tons) in the port of Ust-Luga lost control in the Baltic Sea. According to the German Havariekommando, the vessel's power supply system and engine failed, it lost its ability to maneuver and began to drift at low speed in the open sea near the island of Rügen. The tanker was towed by German vessels, which in stormy weather (9-point storm, waves 3-4 meters) pulled the tanker loaded with russian oil eastward to Zasnitsa at low speed, bypassing Cape Arkona. This incident once again demonstrates the growing threat of oil spills by outdated shadow fleet vessels. The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of the shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment. The vessel is affiliated with Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE, under UK sanctions), one of the leading operators of the russian shadow fleet in 2022-2023, which played a significant role in the transportation of russian oil, as well as with Fractal's affiliate Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ. Fractal Marine DMCC, together with Gatik Ship Management (India) and Radiating World Shipping Services LLC (UAE, under UK sanctions), are considered to be the leading operators of the russian shadow fleet, which in early 2023 assembled a fleet of about 90 tankers, 90% of which transported russia's oil/oil products from russian Baltic and Black seas ports to India, China, Turkey, the Middle East, Africa and South America. In less than a year, the $2 billion fleet of oil tankers assembled by Fractal and Gatik could transport more than 40 million barrels of oil/oil products. Fractal Marine DMCC, Gatik Ship Management and Radiating World Shipping Services LLC in the tanker market helped russian oil continue to circulate around the world, and the russian government to provide multibillion-dollar revenues bypassing sanctions. On February 22, 2024, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on Fractal Marine DMCC in connection with its involvement in servicing the russian energy sector. After the sanctions were imposed, Fractal Marine DMCC tried to challenge the sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom but lost in court. After that, the company 're-signed' its fleet to other companies. From February 25, March 4, 2025, the EU and Switzerland respectively imposed sanctions on the tanker for transporting 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). The vessel, IMO 9308065, is part of a vast shipping empire controlled by Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, the son of Ali Shamkhani, the chief political advisor to the Supreme Leader of Iran. Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani uses corruption through his father's political influence at the highest levels of the Iranian regime to build and operate a huge fleet of tankers and container ships. This network transports oil and petroleum products from Iran and russia, as well as other cargoes, to buyers around the world, generating tens of billions of dollars in profits. The Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani network consists of a huge fleet of ships, ship management firms and front companies that launder billions of dollars in profits from global sales of Iranian and russian crude oil and petroleum products, mostly to buyers in China. The network takes significant steps to disguise its operations and obfuscate its ties to the Shamkhani family, Iran, and russia. The companies Koban Shipping LLC, Fractal Marine DMCC, Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ, with which the tanker IMO 9308065 is affiliated, are among the companies that have played a significant role in the management and operation of the Shamkhani tanker fleet. On July 30, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the tanker IMO 9308065. On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker has been involved in the export of russian crude oil/oil products from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas since 2024, mainly to China and India, including with AIS disabled. The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of the shadow fleet of tankers that transport russian oil around the world and threaten the environment. 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). On May 09, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker as part of the restrictions on the russian shadow fleet.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas with the AIS signal turned off, including in the Turkish EEZ. The vessel is certified by the Registro Italiano Navale (IACS). The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of the shadow 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 shadowy 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 generate 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 April 11, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of vessel IMO 9293117. 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.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and price cap policy on russian oil/petroleum products, and is actively engaged in dark activities in the area of Temryuk Bay, the russian port of Ust-Luga. The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of a shadow fleet of tankers that transport russian oil around the world and threaten 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.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports, in particular, in the Baltic Sea, the Pacific region, mainly to China, India, as well as from the floating oil storage facility IMO 9196620, which is part of the transshipment complex in the Kola Bay and is considered a key element in the chain of exporting russian Arctic oil. The tanker is involved in conducting dark activities, in particular, near the russian port of Ust-Luga in the Baltic Sea. In 2019, during the repair of a tanker at a shipyard near Tuzla (Turkey), an explosion occurred on the vessel, killing two people and injuring 11. The vessel called at the russian port, where the price of oil was constantly exceeding the maximum price of $60. On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel. 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.

The tanker is involved in the export of sanctioned russian oil from russian ports in the Baltic Sea and the Pacific region to China, in particular from a russian port where the price of oil has consistently exceeded the maximum price of $60 per barrel of russian oil set by the G7+. 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 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. According to GISIS IMO data as of July 15, 2025, the vessel's registered name is LOTUS, and the vessel's flag is marked as "Sint Maarten False". At the same time, the vessel uses the flag of Malawi. On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.