Russian “shadow fleet” tankers are increasingly using sophisticated methods, including spoofing, to disguise their activities and circumvent international sanctions. This involves manipulating their Automatic Identification System (AIS) data to falsify their location and movements, making it difficult for regulators to track them. According to energy intelligence providers like Vortexa and SynMax, this activity is on the rise and has become more advanced, with tankers creating false tracks that appear to be normal sailing routes.
Ship-to-Ship Transfers in the Gulf of Oman
The Gulf of Oman has emerged as a key hub for these deceptive operations. The tankers conduct ship-to-ship (STS) transfers in this area, which allows them to move Russian crude from a US-sanctioned vessel to a non-sanctioned one. This enables the cargo to be delivered to buyers in countries like India and China without direct involvement from the sanctioned vessel. This method also allows sanctioned tankers to return to Russian ports for their next cargo more quickly.
Case Studies of Spoofing
Here are two specific examples of this behavior:
- Rozmarine and Prisma: The sanctioned Aframax tanker Rozmarine spoofed its location after departing Murmansk, making it appear as if it was following a normal route. In reality, it conducted an STS transfer with the tanker Prisma in the Gulf of Oman. Prisma also manipulated its AIS data during the transfer. The cargo was then delivered to China.
- Canara and Vernal: The sanctioned Suezmax tanker Canara also went offline with its AIS data for over 16 days while off the coast of Oman. During this period, it performed an STS transfer with the tanker Vernal, which was also spoofing its location. The oil was subsequently discharged in India.
While Prisma and Vernal have since been sanctioned by the EU, they have not yet been designated by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). This highlights the ongoing “cat-and-mouse” game between regulators and the shadow fleet.
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Source: Lloyd’s List
