Shadow Fleet Tanker Passes Through English Channel After British Forces Detain Smyrtos
The Forwarder, a tanker vessel previously known as Heng Tai, has sailed through the English Channel after being detained by British forces in an overnight operation. The ship’s appearance in the channel is notable given the recent detention of the Smyrtos and changes in routes among other tankers linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet.”
The Forwarder was sailing with a cargo of oil from the Russian port of Primorsk, bound for the Chinese port of Dongying. Ukrainian intelligence reports that the vessel took part in the shipment of Russian oil and petroleum products while the G7+ price cap mechanism was in effect. In June 2024, the tanker was involved in operations near Greece’s Gulf of Laconia, a key hub for ship-to-ship transfers of Russian oil.
The Forwarder is linked to Hengtai Shipping Limited, which was sanctioned by the U.S. in January 2025 for operating in Russia’s energy sector. The EU, Switzerland, the UK, Canada, and Ukraine later imposed sanctions on the tanker itself. In February 2026, Ukraine also imposed sanctions on the vessel’s captain.
The Smyrtos‘ detention in June is significant because several other tankers linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet” changed routes following the incident. These vessels include the Lion I (IMO: 9384069), C Viking (IMO: 9261657), Sona (IMO: 9428358), and Maini (IMO: 9319870).
British Forces Detain Smyrtos in Overnight Operation
The Smyrtos was detained overnight on June 14 by Royal Marines and officers from the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA). After boarding the tanker, British forces took control of the vessel and moved it to an anchorage off England’s southern coast.
Ukrainian intelligence reports that the Smyrtos has been involved in transporting Russian oil and petroleum products since early 2025, mainly from the port of Kozmino in Russia’s Far East. The English Channel remains one of the most important routes for Russian oil exports from Baltic ports. A significant share of tankers carrying Russian oil from Primorsk and Ust-Luga pass through the corridor.
Risk of Detention Increases Shipping Costs
Any risk of detention, inspection, or other restrictive measures could increase shipping costs and force “shadow fleet” operators to use longer routes. The Forwarder‘s passage through the English Channel highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Western countries in enforcing sanctions against Russia’s energy sector.
Original Article: First “shadow fleet” tanker passes through English Channel after British forces detain the Smyrtos, sailing near Russian Navy frigate — Theins