Durrës Port Authority Bars Tanker Suspected of Belonging to Russia’s Shadow Fleet
The Durrës Port Harbour Master’s Office barred the tanker HANUMAN from entering the port’s roadstead on August 28. The Sierra Leone-flagged vessel continued sailing about 12 miles from the port after the decision.
Ukraine’s military intelligence service, known as GUR, and partner agencies have identified the tanker as part of Russia’s so-called shadow fleet. The identification was based on information updated on June 10, 2026. According to GUR data, the vessel allegedly transported Russian-origin crude oil and petroleum products to third countries.
Alleged Involvement in Russian Oil Trade
The same data show that the tanker called at the Sheskharis terminal in Novorossiysk. The terminal serves as a major transshipment facility for petroleum products and connects to pipelines operated by JSC Chernomortransneft, a company under U.S. sanctions. In September 2025, HANUMAN allegedly carried more than 30,000 tonnes of Russian petroleum products from the Russian port of Novorossiysk to Turkey.
International Efforts to Contain Russian Oil Trade
Meanwhile, the Durrës port decision comes as international authorities tighten controls on vessels suspected of transporting and trading Russian oil outside sanctions mechanisms and the price-cap regime. The move is seen as part of a broader effort to contain Russia’s shadow fleet and prevent circumvention of international sanctions.
The incident highlights the ongoing challenges in tracking and monitoring Russian oil shipments, which can help bypass the oil embargo and the price cap imposed by the G7 and the European Union. As international authorities continue to crack down on suspected vessels, the Durrës port authority’s decision serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance in detecting and preventing illegal oil trade activities.
Original Article: Durrës port authority bars tanker suspected of belonging to Russia’s shadow fleet — Rtsh