One of the vessels, the Cameroon-flagged “LION I”, changed course shortly before entering the Channel and headed toward Ireland, likely seeking to bypass the British Isles via the North Atlantic. The tanker has previously been linked to exports of Russian oil from the port of Primorsk and is under sanctions imposed by the EU, UK, Canada, Switzerland and Ukraine.
Another sanctioned vessel, “C VIKING”, also changed course in the North Atlantic and turned toward Ireland. The tanker has been associated with transporting Russian oil using ship-to-ship transfers and periods with its AIS tracking system disabled.
The Sierra Leone-flagged tanker “SONA” likewise deviated from its planned route through the English Channel. According to Ukrainian intelligence, the vessel has been involved in exports of Russian oil products and is connected to companies associated with major shadow fleet operator Gatik Ship Management.
A fourth tanker, “MAINI”, changed course while sailing from the Russian port of Primorsk toward Egypt. The vessel has also been linked to Russian oil exports and is subject to sanctions from several Western countries.
The route changes came after the UK carried out its first interception of a vessel operating within Russia’s shadow fleet under powers introduced earlier this year. The tanker SMYRTOS, which had departed from Russia’s Ust-Luga oil terminal, was boarded by Royal Marines and officers from the National Crime Agency during an operation in the English Channel.
Despite the crackdown, some Russian-flagged vessels that are also under Western sanctions continue to transit the Channel without interference, including the tanker KRASNOYARSK and the cargo ship ADLER.
