Marine Vessels

The tanker has been implicated in the export of russian crude oil to third countries from ports in the Black Sea and Baltic Sea, including while operating with its Automatic Identification System (AIS) disabled. It was previously involved in the transportation of Venezuelan oil before switching to the carriage of designated russian-origin crude oil.
The international NGO Greenpeace has identified the tanker as part of the shadow fleet transporting russian oil globally via the Baltic Sea, including through the Cadet Canal area in the Bay of Mecklenburg, posing risks to the environment.
The tanker sails under the flag of Cameroon, which is included in the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (Paris MOU) blacklist of flags, compiled on the basis of vessel inspection results for technical condition.
According to the analytical centre Lloyd’s List, the tanker is an example of high-risk, dark, and deceptive practices linked to fraudulent actions by technical management companies, which resulted in the allocation of unique International Maritime Organization (IMO) numbers to them. In response, the IMO Legal Committee established an intersessional working group to define the levels of due diligence required for the use of the unique identification number scheme for company owners and IMO-registered shipowners.
On October 15, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 12, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In June 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products to third countries during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products.
The vessel, through affiliated companies, including Fornax Ship Management (UAE, under US and Ukrainian sanctions), Oil Tankers SCF MGMT FZCO (UAE, under US, UK, and Ukrainian sanctions), Sun Ship Management, affiliated with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot — russia's largest state-owned shipping company providing services and support for offshore hydrocarbon production and the transportation of russian crude oil, petroleum products, and liquefied natural gas. The main charterers of Sovcomflot PJSC vessels are russia's largest oil and gas companies and traders. Sovcomflot PJSC is involved in servicing major oil and gas projects in russia: Sakhalin-1, Sakhalin-2, Varandey, Prirazlomnoye, Novy Port, Yamal LNG, and others.
Since December 17 and 23, 2024, the EU and Switzerland have imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On January 10, 2025, the US imposed sanctions on the tanker.
In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In August 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the tanker's master.
The tanker is likely involved in facilitating the export of Venezuelan oil. According to data from January 2026, the ship was in the Caribbean Sea. On January 6, 2026, the tanker left the Jose Terminal in Venezuela. As of January 11–12, 2026, the ship was spotted south of the Dominican Republic. On December 22, 2025, the tanker changed its flag from Gambia to the russian federation. It happened in the background of a mass re-registration of ships of the "shadow fleet" in the russian register to get protection from interceptions of US Navy ships entering/leaving ports of Venezuela.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On October 2, 2026, Japan 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 tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products, in particular, from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas, and in deceptive, high-risk practices (turning off AIS, in particular, in the Kerch Strait in the Black Sea, the russian port of Ust-Luga, near Oman).
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.
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).
On August 12, 2025, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On October 15, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 19, 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

During the G7 and EU oil embargo and price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, the tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports on the Baltic Sea, engaged in dark activities, particularly in the area of the russian port of Ust-Luga. In September 2025, the tanker transported 99,240 tons of russian oil from the Sheshkharis terminal in the port of Novorossiysk to the port of Tutunciftlik (Turkey). The shipper was the russian company PJSC Lukoil, which is subject to sanctions, and the charterer was Litasco.
In December 2025, the tanker transported over 700,000 barrels of russian Urals crude oil from the port of Primorsk for export to India in the interests of REDWOOD GLOBAL SUPPLY FZ-LLC (UAE), which was sanctioned by the United Kingdom on December 18, 2025, for its activities in the energy sector of the russian economy.
The tanker is linked to the Indian company Girik Ship Management, 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. In 2022-2023, Girik Ship Management, together with Gaurik Ship Management, Caishan Ship Management, Plutos Ship Management, Geras Ship Management, Orion Ship Management, Galena Ship Management, Nautilus Shipping, Ark Seakonnect Ship Management, and Zidan Ship Management, was involved in a scheme to "juggle" vessels managed by Gatik Ship Management in order to avoid sanctions.
On December 13, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the tanker.
On February 21, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of the vessel.

The tanker during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo, the price-cap policy on russian oil is involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports in the Baltic, Black seas, the Pacific region mainly to China, India, violation of the oil embargo in September 2024, in particular, the ship transported russian oil from the russian port of Primorsk in the Baltic Sea to the Laconikos Gulf, west of the island of Kithira.
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.
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 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, Australia imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since September 12, 2025, New Zealand has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 21, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of the vessel.

During the period of the oil embargo and the G7+ countries’ price cap policy on russian crude oil and petroleum products, the tanker is involved in the export of russian petroleum products from the ports of Primorsk and Vysotsk to Venezuela, Turkey, and Brazil.
The vessel, through affiliated companies, in particular Fornax Ship Management, Sun Ship Management, and Oil Tankers SCF MGMT FZCO, is affiliated with PJSC "Sovcomflot"—russia’s largest state-owned shipping company providing services and support for offshore hydrocarbon production and the transportation of russian crude oil, petroleum products, and liquefied gas. The main charterers of PJSC Sovcomflot’s vessels are russia’s largest oil and gas companies and traders. Sovcomflot PJSC participates in the servicing of major oil and gas projects in russia: "Sakhalin-1", "Sakhalin-2", "Varanдей", "Prirazlomnoye", "Novy Port", "Yamal LNG" and others.
Since December 17, 2024, the EU has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 23, 2024, Switzerland has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since January 10, 2025, the U.S. has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On August 3, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the tanker’s master.
As of December 13, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Additionally, during the fuel crisis, the tanker is involved in a scheme to supply petroleum products to the russian federation from the Vadinar Refinery owned by Nayara Energy, a 49.13% stake in which is controlled by the russian sanctioned company PJSC Oil Company "Rosneft".
In early August 2026, the tanker IMO 9577094, under the command of master Mykola Borysovych Posmitny (russian citizen, under Ukrainian sanctions), delivered more than 57,000 metric tons of gasoline from the Vadinar Refinery of Nayara Energy to Vitino. The tanker received this strategic cargo in the Damietta area near Egypt via a ship-to-ship transfer from the shadow tanker IMO 9314167 (sanctioned by the United Kingdom, Canada, the EU, Switzerland, Ukraine and Australia). Following the uncovering of gray-market fuel import schemes from India, the tanker IMO 9314167 not only changed its name to CYCLONE and its flag state to the russian federation but also continues to deliver gasoline from Nayara Energy’s Vadinar Refinery to a transshipment area near Egypt.
According to available information, in early September 2026, a second ship-to-ship transfer of cargo from the Vadinar refinery will take place in the area near Egypt between the tankers CYCLONE (formerly AGNI, IMO 9314167) and GARNET (IMO 9577094).
On October 2, 2026, Japan 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 tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas, conducting deceptive, high-risk practices, including conducting dark activities with AIS disabled near the russian port of Ust-Luga.
The tanker is linked to sanctioned companies Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE), Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ (UAE), etc., which managed the vessel in 2022-2024.
Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE) is considered one of the leading operators of the shadow fleet, which in early 2023 was among the three largest carriers of Russian oil, along with Radiating World Shipping Services LLC (UAE) and Gatik Ship Management (India), and played a significant role in the export of russian oil to countries around the world during the period of sanctions restrictions. Fractal Marine DMCC managed a fleet of 28 tankers as an intermediary between shipowners and charterers.
Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE) and Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ (UAE) are part of a shipping empire controlled by Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, son of Ali Shamkhani, the chief political advisor to Iran's supreme leader. Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani uses his father's political influence to corrupt top-level officials in the Iranian regime in order to build and operate a huge fleet of tankers and container ships. This fleet 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.
Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani's shipping empire consists of a vast fleet of vessels, ship management companies, and front companies that launder billions of dollars in profits from the global sale of Iranian and Russian crude oil and petroleum products, mostly to buyers in China. The shipping empire takes significant measures to conceal its operations and obscure its ties to the Shamkhani family, Iran, and Russia.
Fractal Marine DMCC has played an important role in the management and operation of the tanker and container ship fleet of Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani's shipping network. Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ (UAE) performs the operational functions of Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani's shipping network fleet.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On April, 2026, the EU imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On April 15, 2026, the United States imposed sanctions on a tanker as part of restrictions targeting the fleet of Mohammed Hossein Shamkhani’s shipping empire, which is involved in the transport of russian crude oil and petroleum products.
Since May 22, 2026, Switzerland has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On June 16, 2026, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In June 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil and petroleum products, the tanker was involved in the export of russian crude oil and petroleum products from russian ports, including through deceptive and high-risk shipping practices such as disabling AIS in the Kerch Bay area and near India.
Specifically, in March 2026, the tanker exported more than 661,000 barrels of russian petroleum products from the port of Taman to Saudi Arabia.
The tanker is affiliated with Gatik Ship Management (India), one of the leading operators of the russian shadow fleet, which in 2022–2023 played a major role in transporting russian crude oil and petroleum products under Western sanctions, as well as with the related company Girik Ship Management.
In 2023, Girik Ship Management, together with Gaurik Ship Management, Galena Ship Management, Plutos Ship Management, Geras Ship Management, Caishan Ship Management, Orion Ship Management, Nautilus Shipping, Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagement, and Zidan Ship Management, was involved in a vessel "juggling" scheme orchestrated by Gatik Ship Management to evade sanctions.
Gatik Ship Management and Girik Ship Management were the vessel’s previous managers. Tankers operated or managed by Gatik Ship Management continue to make port calls at russian ports.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 21, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of the vessel.

The tanker during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo, the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products, and resorts to deceptive practices (disabling AIS, conducting dark activities near the russian port of Ust-Luga).
On May 20, 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 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.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 21, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of the vessel.
On February 19, 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 24, 2026, Australia imposed sanctions on the vessel.

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil and petroleum products, the tanker has been involved in the export of russian crude oil and petroleum products from russian ports in the Baltic Sea, including through deceptive and high-risk shipping practices such as disabling AIS, particularly in the area of the russian port of Ust-Luga.
On February 12, 2026, Ukraine 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.
In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In June 2025, Australia 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).
On August 12, 2025, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since October 30, 2025, New Zealand has imposed sanctions on the tanker.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has 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.
In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In August 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the tanker's master.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On October 2, 2026, Japan imposed sanctions on the vessel.