Ukrainian Intelligence Uncovers Russia-Linked Fuel Laundering Through Nayara and Shadow Fleet
New intelligence reveals covert ship-to-ship transfers and falsified AIS signals that hid major fuel shipments tied to Russian state interests.
As reported by the online media Ukrinform, Russia has intensified gray schemes for refining petroleum products amid successful strikes by the Armed Forces of Ukraine against oil refining infrastructure. According to the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Ukrainian military intelligence recorded the use of one of these schemes through the Indian Nayara Energy, 49.13% of whose shares are owned by the Russian state company Rosneft.
Export and Manipulations with the Shadow Fleet
In particular, on June 20, the Nayara Energy oil terminal’s tanker AGNI (IMO 9314167) departed with almost 67,500 tons of petroleum products on board. The declared destination was the sector west of the Suez Canal in the area of the Egyptian Port Said port. There, another shadow fleet tanker GARNET (IMO 9577094) awaited to perform an STS transfer of petroleum products.
The Main Intelligence Directorate noted that STS is the transfer of cargo between two vessels in the open sea, which in this case allows masking the loading of petroleum products from one tanker to another. Transfer of petroleum products from AGNI to GARNET was carried out with AIS turned off, which in an abnormal situation could lead to an environmental disaster and emergency incidents.
False Cargo Data and Possible Destinations
After the operation’s completion, GARNET provided false cargo data. Specifically, AIS indicated that the vessel was sailing empty (in ballast). As of now, the tanker has passed the Strait of Gibraltar. Possible destinations include the port of Vitino in the White Sea or one of the Baltic ports – Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
The Main Intelligence Directorate also noted that the War&Sanctions project previously identified the vessels AGNI and GARNET as Russian shadow fleet tankers. The AGNI tanker is affiliated with the Indian company GatikShip Management, which in 2022-2023 was among the largest operators of the shadow fleet, facilitating the export of Russian oil and oil products circumventing Western sanctions.
Company Re-registration and “Juggling” Shadow Fleet Vessels
In response to heightened international attention, Gatik promptly re-registered its fleet under related companies, including newly established ones in India and the UAE, effectively launching the practice of “juggling” shadow fleet vessels. The GARNET tanker belongs to the Seychelles-based company ShantalNavigation Corp, affiliated with the Russian sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot through a network of related companies that are under international sanctions.
Ongoing Monitoring and Investigation
The Main Intelligence Directorate emphasizes that such schemes for refining crude petroleum products and their export via the shadow fleet remain the subject of ongoing monitoring and investigation.
Vessels Mentioned
Original Article: Ukrainian intelligence identifies Russia linked fuel laundering through Nayara and shadow fleet — Mezha