Marine vessels

The tanker during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and price-cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products has been involved in exporting russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Baltic Sea since October 2023, and has been engaged in deceptive, high-risk practices, including dark activities in the Kerch Strait area. In October 2024, the tanker carried out STS transmissions in the Kerch Strait with IMO tankers 9212008 (under USA sanctions), IMO 9211999 (under USA sanctions), and IMO tanker 9476771, affiliated with a russian company. In 2024, the tanker, under the command of captains Alexander Grigoriev, Ivan Shashin, and Alexander Peregrov, transported crude oil and petroleum products from the russian ports of Ust-Luga and Primorsk to India, Turkey, and China. 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. According to Unired Against Nuclear Iran, the tanker was involved in the export of Iranian oil and was involved in the transportation of sanctioned russian crude oil/oil products. The tanker is affiliated with the Moldovan company KSN Shipmanagement SRL, which is one of ten Moldovan companies that played a significant role in the maritime transportation of russian oil and transferred the management of the tankers in the fleet to a number of companies from Azerbaijan, while some vessels were transferred to the management of companies from the UAE.

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 from russian ports in the Baltic Sea (Ust-Luga, Primorsk), including the use of deceptive, high-risk practices in the Baltic Sea near the russian ports of Vistino and Ust-Luga. In particular, in February 2025, near the russian ports of Vistino and Ust-Luga in the Baltic Sea, a tanker carried out STS transshipment of commodity from the tanker IMO 9164718, flagged by the russian federation. In 2024, a tanker under the command of captains Mikhail Stryzhak, Andrey Lemeshko and Vladislav Pavitsky transported russian crude oil, mainly originating from the sanctioned russian oil company PJSC Lukoil, from the ports of Primorsk and Ust-Luga to India and Turkey. The tanker is affiliated with Stellar Ship Solutions LLC (IMO 0055533), registered at an address in Azerbaijan (Apartment 18, Building 6, Estate 76, AZ 5006, Sumqayit), which is almost identical to the addresses of other companies from Azerbaijan that manage tankers involved in the sanctioned trade in russian crude oil/petroleum products (Fleetcraft Management LLC (address: Apartment 17, Building 5, Estate 76, Sulh Street AZ 5006, Sumqayit Azerbaijan), Titan Marine Management LLC (address: Apartment 17, Building 30, Estate 18, AZ 5000, Sumqayit Azerbaijan), Light Navigation LLC (address: Apartment 130, House 5, Block 15, AZ 5000, Sumqayit Azerbaijan), Aegis Voyage Shipmanagement (address: Apartment 6, House 34, Block 18, Heydar Aliyev Avenue AZ 5000, Sumqayit Azerbaijan), etc. 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 tanker has been involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports since November 2023, including the deceptive, high-risk practices of conducting dark activities in the Baltic and Black Seas near russian ports. In 2024, a tanker under the command of Captain Tran Thang Tat (a Vietnamese national) transported petroleum products originating from the sanctioned russian oil company PJSC Lukoil from the russian port of Vysotsk to Malaysia. The tanker carried out an STS transfer in March 2025 in the Kerch Strait with tanker IMO 9235000, which is classified by the international NGO Greenpeace as a shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian crude oil around the world and threatening the environment. In February 2025, an STS transfer took place in the Laconikos Gulf (Greece) with the VLCC-class supertanker 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, and Gatik's related company Gaurik Ship Management, which in 2023, together with Galena Ship Management LLP, Caishan 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.

The tanker, during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, has been involved since December 2023 in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Pacific region, in the Baltic Sea to third countries, and has been involved in dark activities in the Baltic Sea near the russian ports of Vistino and Ust-Luga, and STS transfers near Malta. In 2024, a tanker under the command of Captain Suo Zhenguo (Chinese nationality) transported russian petroleum products from the port of Ust-Luga to the UAE. Since November 2023, the tanker's owner and managers have been changed to Chinese companies.

The vessel was involved in the transportation of fossil fuels from the Arctic LNG-2 facility in circumvention of sanctions, using a scheme of false AIS signalling in violation of international maritime law to conceal the vessel's true location. In early August 2024, satellite imagery revealed that the vessel was located at the sanctioned Arctic LNG-2 project, with its AIS signal still north of Norway. The vessel was escorted by an icebreaker as it headed towards the Gulf of Ob and the gas project. On or about 06 August 2024, the vessel returned to its doctored position to integrate its transponder signal. Arctic LNG-2 is the second large-capacity project after Yamal LNG of the sanctioned Novatek (TIN 6316031581) for natural gas extraction and LNG production on the Gydan Peninsula. In November 2023 and February 2024, USA and United Kingdom respectively imposed sanctions on the russian Arctic LNG-2 project, which is of strategic importance for the government of the russian federation. On 23 August 2024, USA imposed sanctions on seven LNG tankers of the shadow russian tanker fleet, as part of the restrictions on entities supporting the development of the Arctic LNG-2 and other future energy projects. On 26 September 2024, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on a vessel involved in the russian LNG sector. 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 February 21, 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

It is affiliated with the russian LNG tanker fleet, which is involved in expanding russia's export capabilities in terms of LNG trade, including from the sanctioned large-capacity Arctic LNG-2 project of sanctioned PJSC Novatek. The vessel is involved in the transshipment of LNG of russian origin (from the Yamal LNG project of PJSC Novatek) through European ports. Arctic LNG-2 is the second large-capacity project after Yamal LNG of PJSC Novatek (TIN: 6316031581) for natural gas production and LNG production on the Gydansky Peninsula. In November 2023 and February 2024, USA and United Kingdom respectively imposed sanctions on the russian Arctic LNG-2 project, which is of strategic importance for the government of the russian federation. On 23 August 2024, USA imposed sanctions on an LNG tanker. On 26 September 2024, United Kingdom imposed sanctions on a vessel involved in the russian LNG sector. On December 16, 2024, 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 February 21, 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

It is involved in the russian LNG tanker fleet, expanding russia's export capabilities in the LNG trade, and transshipment of LNG of russian origin (from the Yamal LNG project of the sanctioned PJSC Novatek) through European ports. On 23 August 2024, USA imposed sanctions on an LNG tanker. On December 16, 2024, 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.

It is involved in the russian LNG tanker fleet, expanding russia's export capabilities in the LNG trade, and transshipment of LNG of russian origin (from the Yamal LNG project of the sanctioned PJSC Novatek) through European ports. On 23 August 2024, USA imposed sanctions on an LNG tanker. On December 16, 2024, 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.

It is involved in the russian LNG tanker fleet, expanding russia's export capabilities in the LNG trade, and transshipment of LNG of russian origin (from the Yamal LNG project of the sanctioned PJSC Novatek) through European ports. On 23 August 2024, USA imposed sanctions on an LNG tanker. 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.

It is involved on August 25, 2024, in the STS transfer with AIS deactivation of fossil fuels produced at the sanctioned russian Arctic LNG-2 facility from the sanctioned LNG tanker IMO 9256602 to the north of the Suez Canal. Arctic LNG-2 is the second large-capacity project of the sanctioned Novatek PJSC for natural gas extraction and LNG production on the Gydan Peninsula after Yamal LNG. In November 2023 and February 2024, USA and United Kingdom respectively imposed sanctions on the russian Arctic LNG-2 project, which is of strategic importance for the government of the russian federation. On 05 September 2024, USA imposed sanctions on the LNG tanker ІМО 9324277 as part of the expansion of restrictive measures against the russian energy sector in connection with attempts to export LNG from the sanctioned Arctic LNG-2. On 26 September 2024, United Kingdom imposed sanctions on a vessel ІМО 9324277 involved in the russian LNG sector. On February 21, 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The non-ice-class vessel is involved in the transportation of russian LNG, including from facilities located in the Arctic zone, in particular, with the AIS signal switched off and frequent course deviations. The vessel has a permit issued by the State Budgetary Institution ‘Main Directorate of the Northern Sea Route’, which is founded by the russian federation, to sail along the Northern Sea Route (NSR) along the following route: western border of the NSR - Kara Sea - Gulf of Ob - port of Sabetta - western border of the NSR. The vessel is affiliated through related companies, in particular the sanctioned Sun Ship Management and Gas Carriers SCF MGMT FZCO, with the sanctioned Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia for the maintenance and provision of marine hydrocarbon extraction, transportation of russian oil, petroleum products, and liquefied gas. The main charterers of Sovcomflot vessels are the largest oil and gas companies and traders of russia. Sovcomflot participates in the maintenance of large oil and gas projects in russia: Sakhalin-1, Sakhalin-2, Varandey, Pryrazlomnoye, Novyy Port, Yamal LNG, others. Before the full-scale russian invasion of Ukraine, the company's fleet consisted of about 145 vessels. After the application of sanctions, PJSC Sovcomflot transferred dozens of vessels to the ownership of companies it created, including those in foreign jurisdictions, in order to circumvent them, starting the practice of constant 'juggling' (transferring) vessels to related companies. On 26 September 2024, United Kingdom imposed sanctions on 5 LNG tankers, including the ‘SCF La Perouse’ (current name: ‘La Perouse’), involved in the russian LNG sector. On December 16, 2024, 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 February 21, 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

In August 2024, the first shipments/reloadings of STS LNG from the sanctioned Arctic LNG-2 facility were recorded by vessels that were subsequently sanctioned by partners. At the same time, there is a possibility that earlier than in August 2024, the LNG carrier 'Christophe De Margerie' shipped the first batch of LNG from 'Arctic LNG-2' to Europe, the shipment operation was carried out in the period of June 06-11, 2024, but it was not a full batch, but a blend of LNG from 'Yamal LNG'. In the period from June 08-09, June 09-10, 2024, the vessel carried out the so-called “dark” activity near the port of Sabetta in the Gulf of Ob. Arctic LNG-2 is the second large-capacity project after Yamal LNG of Novatek's sanctioned project for natural gas extraction and liquefied natural gas production on the Gydan Peninsula. In November 2023 and February 2024, USA and the United Kingdom respectively imposed sanctions on the russian Arctic LNG-2 project, which is of strategic importance for the government of the russian federation. The LNG carrier 'Christophe de Margerie' is linked to Gas Carriers SCF MGMT FZCO (UAE), which 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, oil products, liquefied gas against the background of sanctions restrictions on russia 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 energy sales, 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, etc. 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 fleet” of the russian federation to continue selling russian oil, oil products, and liquefied gas under sanctions. 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.