Albania Blocks Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker Hanuman from Entering Port
On August 29, Albanian authorities refused to allow the Russian shadow fleet tanker Hanuman to enter its port in Durres, according to a report by the Ministry of Defense’s press service.
The Hanuman has been linked to the Russian state-owned company Suchkomflot and has been involved in circumventing international sanctions against Russia. In January 2025, the GUR MOU added this tanker to its War&Sanctions portal database as belonging to the Russian shadow fleet.
Since the beginning of 2025, the Hanuman has exported at least 452,000 tons of Russian fuel from the port in Novorossiysk to Turkey, Senegal, the UAE, and the port near Augusta, Italy. The logistics of these flights are handled by OOO “Altoprae Marine”, a company owned by Gennady Timchenko, a close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin who has been sanctioned.
Russia’s Shadow Fleet: A Growing Concern
The Russian shadow fleet is a network of old tankers that have turned off their beacons to evade detection by surveillance systems. These vessels are mostly operated by Suchkomflot and provide 70% of Russia’s oil exports, as well as approximately 10% of the world’s “wet cargo” fleet.
According to estimates from The Guardian in September 2023, Russia’s shadow fleet consists of around 600 vessels that transport mainly crude oil, petroleum products, and LNG. This fleet has allowed the Russian Federation to transport almost 1.7 million barrels of oil per day, generating significant profits for the Kremlin.
Sanctions and Price Caps: A Response to Russia’s Shadow Fleet
In response to Russia’s shadow fleet, the G7 members, along with Australia and the EU, imposed price caps on Russian oil in early December 2022. The maximum price set was $60 per barrel. From February 5, 2023, these countries also imposed price caps on Russian petroleum products: $100 for diesel and $45 for various lubricants.
These measures aim to restrict Russia’s ability to circumvent international sanctions and reduce its oil exports. However, the Russian shadow fleet continues to operate, highlighting the need for further action to effectively counter this tactic.
Original Article: Albania did not allow a tanker from the Russian shadow fleet into its port — Babel