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Dark fleet bunkering highlights weakness of sanctions systems against Russia
The two bunker tankers 'Rina' and 'Zircone' (IMO: 9010929) were still supplying the Russian shadow fleet, operating primarily from the ports of Riga, Klaipeda and Paldiski, and their pattern of activity has changed little, notwithstanding the increasing isolation of Russia post its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. A large percentage of thetankers's customers at sea remained Russian-owned tankers on their way to and from the Russian oil export terminals at Primorsk and Ust-Luga. Most of these tankers are now members of Russian-controlled dark fleet, sailing under fast-changing flags of convenience and switching names frequently. On March 11, 2025, the 'Rina' was bunkering the tanker 'Blue' (IMO: 9236353), then flying the flag of Antigua and Barbuda and apparently Turkish-owned. On Oct 30, the 'Blue' was bunkered by the 'Zircone' off Gotland. On Aug 17, 2024, the tanker 'Rainbow' (IMO 9302126), also then flying the flag of Antigua and Barbuda, was refueled by the 'Zircone' off Gotland, and when plying between Primorsk and Libya, was refueled by the 'Rina' on Dec 14. Neither the 'Blue' or the 'Rainbow' were sanctioned when they were bunkered on these occasions. But like many other customers, they were sanctioned later, and their series of visits to Primorsk and Ust-Luga should have raised compliance red flags. An investigation found that between June 2024 and March 2025, the 'Rina' and 'Zircone' bunkered 286 ships. Of these, more than 160 were tankers which had called at Primorsk and Ust-Luga either before or after the bunkering rendezvous. Since the operations of the 'Rina' and 'Zircone' began to attract publicity, their ownership has changed and has finally settled on a company registered in Dubai, namely FB Trade DWC-LLC (Commercial Registration 11119), though they were still operating in the Baltic. FB Trade was now also believed to be operating the tanker 'Onyx 2' (IMO: 9169782), flagged in the Comoros Islands. wjocj appeared to be conducting bunkering operations in the Gulf of Oman out of Khor Fakkan, off which there were STS transshipment hub frequented by both Russian and Iranian dark fleet tankers. illustrating the inherent weakness of the sanctions system: Estonia and Latvia are amongst the most active nations seeking to curb the Russian aggression, but have not been able to curtail activities based in their ports, nor have Denmark or Sweden, also closely committed to increasing pressure on Russia, been able to clamp down on dark fleet-associated activities in their home waters. In the Gulf, countries bordering what used to be called the Pirate Coast are in general disinclined to intervene.
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