Marine Vessels

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, the tanker has been involved since March 2023 in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports using deceptive, high-risk practices. In particular, the vessel engages in dark activities near russian ports on the Black Sea and carries out STS transfers in high-risk areas.
Since April 2023, the vessel has been regularly exporting russian crude oil/petroleum products from the russian ports of Vysotsk, Primorsk, Ust-Luga, and Novorossiysk, including engaging in dark activities in the Baltic Sea near the port of Vysotsk, south of the Kerch Strait.
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 and EU oil embargo and the price-cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, the tanker has been involved since March 2023 in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas, employing deceptive and high-risk shipping practices.
The vessel is affiliated with the Moldovan company BPC Shipmanagement SRL. Together with several other Moldovan entities, BPC Shipmanagement SRL has been involved in establishing part of the shadow fleet used to export russian crude oil/petroleum products under Western restrictions. The shadow tankers managed by Moldovan companies – including Adel Ship Management SRL, BPC Shipmanagement SRL, MRK Shipmanagement SRL, KSN Shipmanagement SRL, OST Shipmanagement SRL, Surt Ship Management SRL, SAL Shipmanagement SRL, and FLC Shipmanagement SRL – were later transferred under the management of several Azerbaijani companies, such as Dream Island Shipping LLC, Ocean Voyage LLC, Tidal Tech Mariners LLC, Seafaring Savants LLC, VVave Minder Shipmanagement, Triton Technical Services LLC, Navigenix Shipmanagement LLC, Nautilus Fleet Management LLC, and Harbor Harmony Shipmanagement, among others.
The tanker IMO 9296597, previously managed by the Moldovan company BPC Shipmanagement SRL, was transferred to the management of Ocean Voyage LLC (Azerbaijan).
In June 2025, the United States imposed sanctions on Ocean Voyage LLC for providing material assistance, sponsorship, or financial, material, or technological support, as well as goods or services, in support of the organization Ansar Allah.
After sanctions were imposed on Ocean Voyage LLC, management of the tanker was transferred to Seafaring Savants LLC (Azerbaijan) and, in September 2025, to Astro Pelagos LLC (Georgia).
Since October 24, 2025, the EU has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Switzerland has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 24, 2026, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since March 25, 2026, Canada has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

Since December 2022, the tanker has been actively involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from the russian ports of Primorsk, Ust-Luga, Novorossiysk, using deceptive practices, including conducting shady activities near russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas.
In January-February 2025, the tanker transported 100,000 metric tons of crude oil originating from the sanctioned russian oil company Lukoil from the port of Primorsk to Turkey. The transportation was carried out under the command of Master Alexander Kolesnikov.
The tanker was included by USA sanctions authority in the list of vessels that pumped oil under the STS scheme intended for Syria in 2016-2019.
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.
In August 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the tanker's master.
Since September 18, 2025, Australia has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

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.
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 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.
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 and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products is actively involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Black and Baltic seas (Tuapse, Novorossiysk (in particular, from the Sheskharis terminal - a transshipment complex, which is the end point of the main pipelines of JSC Chernomortransneft (TIN 2315072242, under USA sanctions), a subsidiary of the sanctioned PJSC Transneft (TIN 7706061801), Primorsk), including active and prolonged dark activities near russian ports in the Black Sea, near Cyprus.
In 2024, a tanker under the command of captains Delara Nel (Maltese nationality) and Nikitopoulos Nikolaos (Greek nationality) transported russian petroleum products from the port of Tuapse to Turkey.
In 2024, the tanker was involved in the export of russian petroleum products from the "Sheshkharis" terminal at the port of Novorossiysk to Turkey in the interests of PJSC "Gazprom" and PJSC "Lukoil," and from the port of Tuapse to Turkey in the interests of PJSC Oil Company "Rosneft".
In 2025, the vessel was involved in the export of russian petroleum products from the port of Primorsk to Libya.
In September 2025, the tanker transported nearly 35,000 tons of russian-origin petroleum products from the Sheskharis terminal in the port of Novorossiysk to Turkey.

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 the russian ports of Primorsk, Murmansk, Ust-Luga, Vysotsk to third countries, in particular with the AIS signal disabled in the Baltic Sea near the russian ports of Vistino, Ust-Luga in the Baltic Sea.
In 2024, a tanker under the command of Captain Karydis Konstantinos (Greek nationality) transported russian petroleum products from the port of Ust-Luga to Turkey.

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.
On December 31, 2025, the US imposed sanctions on a vessel for transporting Venezuelan oil and assisting the Maduro regime in evading sanctions.

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 to third countries, and engages in dark activities in the area of the russian port of Ust-Luga.
On April 11, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of the tanker IMO 9297369.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

Since July 2024, the tanker, which does not have proper insurance from the International P&I Club, has been focused on transshipment in the area of Greece and Cyprus by making STS transfers of russian wet cargo mainly from the russian ports of Tuapse and Novorossiysk, as well as from the Taman crude oil/petroleum products transshipment complex, Primorsk and Ust-Luga. Such deliveries from russian ports for further transshipment in European waters are carried out by a number of tankers, in particular, affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management, one of the largest operators of the russian shadow fleet, which in 2022-2023 played a key role in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products under Western sanctions.
Transshipment of crude oil/petroleum products of russian origin at sea using the STS method allows to conceal ownership and origin of the cargo, and legalize their supply to the EU, USA and other countries. In turn, the sale of crude oil/petroleum products on the world market allows accumulating significant financial resources in the state budget of the russian federation, which are used, among other things, to build up the military potential of the aggressor state and to provide material support for russia's military operations on the territory of Ukraine.
The first STS transmission since July 2024 in the Gulf of Laconikos took place on July 23, 2024 with the tanker IMO 9412177, which arrived in the area near Greece from the russian port of Primorsk.
Subsequent STS transmissions with russian affiliation took place in the area near Greece:
July 31, 2024 with tanker IMO 9340116, which arrived from the russian port of Tuapse;
August 02, 2024 with tanker IMO 9374416, which arrived from the russian port of Tuapse;
onAugust 09, 2024 with the tanker IMO 9315757, which arrived from the Taman crude oil/petroleum products transshipment complex;
on August 12, 2024 with the tanker IMO 9263203, which arrived from the port of Tuapse;
on August 14, 2024 with the tanker IMO 9228784, which arrived from the port of Tuapse;
On August 17, 2024, with the tanker IMO 9260067 (under USA sanctions since October 17, 2024), which arrived from the ports of Gelendzhik and Tuapse;
on August 19, 2024, with the tanker IMO 9278698, which arrived from the port of Tuapse;
OnAugust 28, 2024, with the tanker IMO 9263186, which arrived from the ports of Gelendzhik and Novorossiysk;
on August 29, 2024, with the tanker IMO 9318034 (affiliated with the shadow operator Gatik Ship Management), which arrived from the port of Tuapse;
on September 15, 2024, with the tanker IMO 9251456, which arrived from the port of Tuapse;
on October 17, November 15, December 08, 2024, January 06, 2025 with the tanker IMO 9234501, which arrived from the Taman crude oil/petroleum products transshipment complex and the port of Novorossiysk;
On November 03 and 29, 2024, with tanker IMO 9327372 (under sanctions of the EU, Switzerland, the United Kingdom), which is affiliated with the shadow operator Gatik Ship Management and arrived from the ports of Tuapse and Gelendzhik;
on November 13 and 26, 2024, with the tanker IMO 9353096 (under sanctions of the United Kingdom, Canada, the EU, Switzerland), which arrived from the port of Tuapse;
on December 05, 2024 with the tanker IMO 9266475 (under sanctions of the United Kingdom, EU, Switzerland), which arrived from the Taman crude oil/petroleum products transshipment complex;
on December 17, 2024 with the tanker IMO 9299862 (affiliated with the shadow operator Gatik Ship Management), which arrived from the port of Tuapse;
in December 2024, January 2025 with the tanker IMO 9272931 (affiliated with the Indian company Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment, which was one of the ten companies that participated in the juggling of vessels from the Gatik Ship Management fleet).
At the same time, there were STS transfers in the area of Greece with other tankers affiliated with Gatik Ship Management, namely IMO 9299123 (in September, October, November 2024); IMO 9352195 (in September and December 2024); repeated transfers with IMO 9253234.
After STS transfers with IMO tanker 9247443, which acts as an STS hub for transshipment of russian crude oil/petroleum products, some of these tankers head to Libyan ports, in particular, Benghazi, which has no refineries and no direct connection to Libyan oil wells. According to the international NGO Greenpeace, some of the fuel imported by Libya, which is subject to the subsidy program, is loaded into large tanker trucks that transport it to small old tankers waiting in the old port. The vessels then leave the port with fake certificates and disabled AIS transmitters to smuggle the fuel at market price. This is the way to illegally trade in russian crude oil/oil products.
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.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 19, 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

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 supply chain of russian crude oil/petroleum products mainly from russian ports in the Black Sea to third countries, including through STS transfers with russian affiliations. Transshipment of crude oil/petroleum products of russian origin by STS method allows to conceal ownership and origin of the cargo, and legalize their supply to EU, USA and other countries. In turn, the sale of crude oil/petroleum products on the world market allows accumulating significant financial resources in the state budget of the russian federation, which are used, among other things, to build up the military potential of the aggressor-state and to provide material support for russia's military operations on the territory of Ukraine.
The vessel has been engaged in dark activities near the russian port of Tuapse, Lebanon, Sudan and South Sudan, and Saudi Arabia.
On January 28, 2025, in the area near Greece, the tanker IMO 9253234 carried out an STS transfer with the tanker IMO 9314894, which arrived for transshipment in the area near Greece from the russian port of Novorossiysk, in particular the Sheskaris terminal, which is a transshipment complex, the final point of the main pipelines of Chernomortransneft JSC (TIN: 2315072242, under USA sanctions), a subsidiary of the sanctioned russian Transneft PJSC (TIN: 7706061801). At the same time, the tanker IMO 9314894 is affiliated with the Indian companies Orion Ship Management, Geras Ship Management, which in 2023, together with Caishan Ship Management, Plutos Ship Management, Gaurik Ship Management, Girik Ship Management, Galena Ship Management, Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment, Zidan Ship Management, were involved in a scheme of "juggling" vessels operated by Gatik Ship Management, one of the leading operators of the shadow fleet involved in the transportation of russian crude oil/petroleum products under Western sanctions.
On January 09, 2025, in the area near Greece, tanker IMO 9253234 carried out an STS transfer with tanker IMO 9247443, after which tanker IMO 9253234 called at the port of Said (Egypt). On February 05, 2025, in the area near Greece, tanker IMO 9253234 carried out an STS transfer with tanker IMO 9247443, after which on February 13, 2025, tanker IMO 9253234 called at the port of Benghazi (Libya). On February 21, 2025, after leaving the port of Benghazi (Libya), near Cyprus, tanker IMO 9253234 carried out an STS transfer with the same tanker IMO 9247443, after which tanker IMO 9253234 called at the port of Alexandria (Egypt). Since July 2024, tanker IMO 9247443 without proper insurance of the International P&I Club has been operating in the area of Greece, Cyprus as a floating STS transshipment hub of russian wet cargo delivered to the area of Greece, Cyprus for transshipment mainly from the russian ports of Tuapse, Novorossiysk, as well as from the Taman crude oil/petroleum products transshipment complex, Primorsk, Ust-Luga. Such deliveries from russian ports for further transshipment via tanker IMO 9247443 in European waters are carried out by a number of tankers, in particular, affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management.
On March 07, 2025, in the area near Cyprus, tanker IMO 9253234 carried out an STS transfer with tanker IMO 9422988, which was sanctioned by USA on March 20, 2025 as part of the shadow fleet involved in the transportation of Iranian oil to Chinese (teapot) refineries.
On March 08, 2025, near Cyprus, tanker IMO 9253234 carried out an STS transfer with tanker IMO 9299862, affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management, which arrived in the area near Cyprus from the russian Taman crude oil/petroleum products transshipment complex.
Participation in other STS transfers with russian affiliation.
The tanker IMO 9253234 is affiliated with the Indian company Plutos Ship Management, which in 2023, together with Caishan Ship Management, Orion Ship Management, Gaurik Ship Management, Geras Ship Management, Girik Ship Management, Galena Ship Management, Nautilus Shipping, Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment, Zidan Ship Management, was involved in a scheme of "juggling" vessels operated by Gatik Ship Management to avoid sanctions.
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.
Since September 18, 2025, Australia has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On September 25, 2025, the tanker transported nearly 33,000 tons of russian-origin petroleum products from the port of Tuapse for export to the port of Said (Egypt). The cargo was shipped by Rosneft.
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 on russian crude oil/petroleum products, is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Black and Baltic Seas, including through STS transfers with russian affiliates.
On December 26, 2024, in russian waters in the Black Sea, after leaving the russian port of Tuapse on December 26, 2024, the tanker made an STS transmission with tanker IMO 9340128.
On January 15, 2025, after the departure from the russian port of Tuapse on January 09, 2025, the tanker IMO 9314882 made an STS transmission with the tanker IMO 9247443, which since July 2024 has been operating in the area near Greece, Cyprus as a transshipment STS hub for russian crude oil/petroleum products, which are transported by tankers mainly from the russian ports of Tuapse, Novorossiysk, Taman crude oil/petroleum products transshipment complex for further transshipment near European countries.
On February 09, 2025, an STS transmission took place near Cyprus with the tanker IMO 9424651, which arrived in the Cyprus area from the russian port of Tuapse. On January 21, 2025, near Greece, and on February 11, 2025, near Cyprus, STS transmissions were made with tanker IMO 9422988, which was subject to USA sanctions in March 2025.
The tanker is affiliated with the Indian company Orion Ship Management, which in 2023, together with Caishan Ship Management, Plutos Ship Management, Gaurik Ship Management, Geras Ship Management, Girik Ship Management, Galena Ship Management, Nautilus Shipping, Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment, Zidan Ship Management, was involved in a scheme of "juggling" vessels operated by Gatik Ship Management, one of the leading operators of the shadow fleet involved in the transportation of russian crude oil/petroleum products under Western sanctions. Tankers operated/managed by the Indian Gatik Ship Management and related companies, which have been re-registered to other companies, continue to call at russian ports and participate in STS transfers with russian affiliations.
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.
In June 2025, Canada 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 September 18, 2025, Australia 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.