Marine Vessels

The tanker is involved in the export of sanctioned russian oil products from russian ports, mainly in the Black Sea, to Turkey and other third countries using deceptive, high-risk practices (disabling AIS).
The vessel, through related companies, including the sanctioned Stream Ship Management FZCO, Sun Ship Management, Oil Tankers SCF MGMT FZCO, affiliated with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia that services and supports offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian crude oil, oil products, and liquefied natural gas. The major charterers of PJSC Sovcomflot's vessels are russia's largest oil and gas companies and traders. PJSC Sovcomflot is involved in servicing major oil and gas projects in russia: Sakhalin-1, Sakhalin-2, Varandey, Prirazlomnoye, Novy Port, Yamal LNG and others. After the sanctions were imposed, PJSC Sovcomflot transferred dozens of vessels to the ownership of companies it had set up, including in foreign jurisdictions, and began the practice of constantly 'juggling' (transferring) vessels to related companies. According to expert estimates, the tankers 're-registered' by PJSC Sovcomflot to related companies are part of the so-called 'shadow tanker fleet' of the russian federation to continue selling russian crude oil, oil products, and liquefied natural gas under Western sanctions.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.
From February 25, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions on the tanker (sanctions were amended on July 18, 2025).
On March 04, 2025, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the tanker as a vessel associated with a sanctioned entity.
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 registration name is SAPPHIRE, the flag of Barbados. At the same time, the vessel sails under the flag of the Comoros.
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 February 19, 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is involved in the export of sanctioned russian oil/oil products from russian ports in the Pacific region, mainly to China.
The vessel, through related companies, including the sanctioned Stream Ship Management FZCO, Sun Ship Management, Oil Tankers SCF MGMT FZCO affiliated with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia for servicing and supporting offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian crude oil, oil products, liquefied natural gas. 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 January 10, 2025, USA 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, 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.

During the period of the G7+ oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/oil products, the tanker is involved in the transportation of russian crude oil/oil products mainly from russian ports in the Pacific region to China.
The tanker is affiliated through the sanctioned companies Sun Ship Management (UAE), Oil Tankers SCF MGMT FZCO (UAE), Stream Ship Management FZCO (UAE) with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia that services and provides offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian crude oil, oil products, and liquefied gas. The major charterers of PJSC Sovcomflot's vessels are russia's largest oil and gas companies and traders. PJSC Sovcomflot is involved in servicing major oil and gas projects in russia: Sakhalin-1, Sakhalin-2, Varandey, Prirazlomnoye, Novy Port, Yamal LNG and others.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel as a property in which PJSC Sovcomflot has an interest.
On February 24, 2025, 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).
In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In June 2025, Australia imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In August 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the tanker's master.
Since October 30, 2025, New Zealand has imposed sanctions on the tanker.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

During the period of the G7+ oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/oil products, the tanker is involved in the transportation of russian crude oil/oil products mainly from russian ports in the Pacific region to 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.
The tanker is affiliated through the sanctioned companies Sun Ship Management (UAE), Oil Tankers SCF MGMT FZCO (UAE), Stream Ship Management FZCO (UAE) with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia for servicing and supporting offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian crude oil, oil products, and liquefied gas. The major charterers of PJSC Sovcomflot's vessels are russia's largest oil and gas companies and traders. PJSC Sovcomflot is involved in servicing major oil and gas projects in russia: Sakhalin-1, Sakhalin-2, Varandey, Prirazlomnoye, Novy Port, Yamal LNG and others.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel as a property in which PJSC Sovcomflot has an interest.
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).
In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In June 2025, Australia imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In August 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the tanker's master.
Since October 30, 2025, New Zealand has imposed sanctions on the tanker.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

According to United Against Nuclear Iran, the vessel was involved in the transportation of sanctioned Iranian oil and switched to the transportation of sanctioned russian oil.
The Lauren II transports crude oil loaded by other tankers from ship to ship from the russian port of Primorsk in the Baltic Sea. In particular, the Lauren II was tracked while loading a cargo of crude oil by means of a ship-to-ship transfer from the tanker Zhen I (IMO 9255880).
The VLCC tanker was purchased from DHT Tankers and is affiliated with an anonymous Chinese buyer who spent about $376 million to acquire a group of 13 tankers for the high-risk transportation of russian-origin crude oil in the Atlantic Ocean. These 13 tankers include five Aframax vessels, seven very large crude oil carriers and one Suezmax vessel. According to Lloyd's List Intelligence, these vessels were purchased by an anonymous buyer through 20 separate but interconnected single-ship offshore companies from Hong Kong and China.
Subsequently, all but one of the tankers were engaged in transshipment of cargoes in the established high-risk transshipment hub for russian crude oil for consolidation of cargoes in the area 860 nautical miles west of Portugal, in international waters. The registered owners, commercial managers, and ISM manager are characterized by an almost identical registration address in Dalian (PRC), and the same two addresses in Hong Kong.
This group of tankers is considered to be the center of a fully operational mid-Atlantic transshipment hub for russian crude oil to China.
Logistics STS hubs allow to conceal the ownership and origin of cargo. In addition to the Mid-Atlantic hub, transshipment centers include areas near Kalamata, Greece, Malta, Ceuta, and the Caucasus, where STS operations for russian crude oil have been established.
The tanker, believed to be part of the shadow fleet, is affiliated with SUNNE CO LIMITED, which was sanctioned by USA on January 10, 2025 for its activities in the energy sector of the russian federation.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel as a property in which SUNNE CO LIMITED has an interest.
Since September 12, 2025, the United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In November 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

A VLCC-type tanker with a deadweight of almost 310,000 DWT is involved in the STS transshipment of sanctioned russian oil/oil products, in particular, in the waters of the Mid-Atlantic, hundreds of nautical miles from the coast. This high-risk, environmentally hazardous practice with russian oil is that tankers consolidate (receive via STS) oil cargoes from Aframax tankers loaded in russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas to larger tankers bound mainly for China.
The beneficial owner of the vessel is SUNNE CO LIMITED, which was sanctioned by USA on January 10, 2025 for its activities in the energy sector of the russian federation. SUNNE CO LIMITED is affiliated with a tanker fleet that is considered part of the shadow fleet.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel as a property in which SUNNE CO LIMITED has an interest.

The vessel-bunkerer is part of the fleet of Gazpromneft Shipping LLC, which carries out marine transportation of hydrocarbon raw materials and petroleum products. Gaspromneft Shipping LLC is the shipowner and operator of Arctic tankers, icebreakers and bunkers of the sanctioned Gaspromneft Marine Bunker LLC, a subsidiary of the sanctioned Gazprom Neft PJSC, which is the operator of the bunker business of the sanctioned russian Gazprom Neft PJSC.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel as property in which Gazpromneft Marine Bunker LLC has an interest.
Since September 12, 2025, the United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since October 24, 2025, the EU has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Switzerland has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 19, 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The vessel-bunkerer is part of the fleet of Gazpromneft Shipping LLC, which carries out marine transportation of hydrocarbon raw materials and petroleum products. Gaspromneft Shipping LLC is the shipowner and operator of Arctic tankers, icebreakers and bunkers of the sanctioned Gaspromneft Marine Bunker LLC, a subsidiary of the sanctioned Gazprom Neft PJSC, which is the operator of the bunker business of the sanctioned russian Gazprom Neft PJSC.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel as property in which Gazpromneft Marine Bunker LLC has an interest.
Since September 12, 2025, the United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since October 24, 2025, the EU has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Switzerland has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 20, 2026, New Zealand imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 19, 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is involved in the transportation of russian crude oil/oil products, in particular, in violation of the G7+ oil embargo, to the Laconic Gulf (Greece) in June 2024. The vessel called at a russian port, where the price of oil was constantly trading above the price cap.
The vessel is affiliated with Hengtai Shipping Limited, which was sanctioned by the USA on January 10, 2025 for its activities in the energy sector of the russian economy.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel, which is considered to be part of the shadow fleet, as a property in which Hengtai Shipping Limited has an interest.
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.
In November 2025, Canada 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.

The tanker is engaged in the transportation of russian crude oil / oil products from russian ports, in particular in the Pacific region, mainly to China, during the period of the G7+ oil embargo and price cap policy on russian crude oil / oil products. The vessel called at a russian port, where the price of oil was constantly trading above the price cap.
The vessel is affiliated with Huihai Hong Kong Shipping Co Limited, which was sanctioned by USA on January 10, 2025 for its activities in the energy sector of the russian economy.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on a vessel considered to be part of the shadow fleet as a property in which Huihai Hong Kong Shipping Co Limited has an interest.
Since May 21, 2025, the EU has imposed sanctions 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).
Since June 03, 2025, Switzerland has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In November 2025, Canada 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.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/oil products from russian ports in the Pacific region, mainly to China, during the period of the G7+ oil embargo and price cap policy.
The tanker is affiliated through the sanctioned companies Sun Ship Management (UAE), Oil Tankers SCF MGMT FZCO (UAE), Fornax Ship Management FZCO (UAE) with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia that services and provides offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian crude oil, oil products, and liquefied gas. The major charterers of PJSC Sovcomflot's vessels are russia's largest oil and gas companies and traders. PJSC Sovcomflot is involved in servicing major oil and gas projects in russia: Sakhalin-1, Sakhalin-2, Varandey, Prirazlomnoye, Novy Port, Yamal LNG and others.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel as a property in which Fornax Ship Management FZCO has an interest.
Since May 21 and June 3, 2025, the EU and Switzerland, respectively, have imposed sanctions on the vessel for transporting crude oil/petroleum products originating in or exported from rRussia, using irregular shipping practices with a high degree of risk, as specified in Resolution A.1192(33) of the General Assembly of the International Maritime Organization.
In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On December 24, 2025, the ship changed its flag to that of the russian federation. At that time, the ship was off the coast of Venezuela. The switch to the russian flag was probably done to avoid being detained and arrested by the US Coast Guard in the Caribbean Sea as part of the blockade of sanctioned oil tankers entering/leaving Venezuelan ports. As of January 15, 2026, the vessel is in the Atlantic Ocean, heading for the Russian port of Ust-Luga.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

During the period of the G7+ oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/oil products, the tanker is engaged in the transportation of russian crude oil/oil products from russian ports, in particular, in the Pacific region, mainly to China. The tanker called at a russian port, where the price of oil is constantly trading above the upper limit of the price cap.
The international public organization 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 is affiliated with the sanctioned company Global Industrial and Engineering Supply Ltd as the previous owner and operator of the vessel, which was sanctioned by USA in 2020 for supplying 300 metric tons of graphite to an Iranian sanctioned company, which is critical for Iran's metallurgical industry.
Since January 2022, the tanker has been owned and operated by Merluza Group Limited, which was sanctioned by USA on January 10, 2025 for its activities in the energy sector of the russian economy.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel, which is considered to be part of the shadow fleet, as a property in which Merluza Group Limited has an interest.
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 July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In August 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the tanker's master.
In November 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.