Complete Maritime Profile & Reviews of Caruzo

In a bid to safeguard against Ukrainian aerial and naval drone threats, Russian merchant vessels navigating the Black Sea are increasingly resorting to unconventional protective strategies. These measures include deploying nets, constructing metal frameworks, and utilizing camouflage paint reminiscent of historic military designs from World War I and World War II. A notable example is the 'Caruzo', which passed through Istanbul on August 11, 2026, carrying approximately one million barrels of Russian crude oil. This vessel is under sanctions from several nations, including the UK, EU, New Zealand, Canada, Switzerland, and Australia, and has been flagged by Greenpeace as part of Russia's shadow fleet. The Caruzo was seen with its superstructure entirely covered in netting, while additional metal structures that appeared to be cages were affixed to its stern, designed specifically to shield the engine room from potential naval drone strikes. Since July 2025, the 'Caruzo' has been deliberately disabling its AIS (Automatic Identification System) prior to entering the Black Sea, creating the illusion of being stationary in the Bosphorus for extended periods. According to Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, HUR, the 'Caruzo' is identified as a participant in circumventing the G7 oil embargo and price cap related to Russian oil exports, with its activities traced back to at least October 2023. In January 2024, the tanker was also involved in a ship-to-ship oil transfer operation near the Kerch Strait, alongside other sanctioned ships. The vessel’s shipping routes have included various terminals and ports across Turkey, China, India, Malaysia, Morocco, Egypt, and Vietnam. Additionally, records indicate that the 'Caruzo' has made calls at Russian ports and has been observed turning off its AIS during its operations.

The maritime landscape witnessed a significant event on October 25, 2025, when the oil tanker 'Caruzo' found itself under the scrutiny of Tokyo MoU inspectors at Dongjiakou. During a thorough port state inspection, officials uncovered a total of 14 deficiencies, marking two of these as serious enough to warrant detention. This marked the first time the 'Caruzo' docked at Dongjiakou. Inspectors meticulously examined the vessel's certificates and safety management records in compliance with the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, highlighting the emphasis on maritime safety and regulatory compliance.

Euronav NV has confirmed the successful sale of its Suezmax tanker, the Cap Laurent (IMO 1234567), a 1998-built vessel with a deadweight tonnage of 146,145 dwt. The ship was purchased by a group of Indian owners for a total of USD 22.25 million. This transaction marks a significant capital gain of approximately USD 11.1 million, which will be reflected in the company’s financial statements for the fourth quarter. Following this sale, Euronav's available credit under its USD 750 million revolver facility will see a reduction of USD 11.5 million. The transfer of ownership was officially completed on November 26, 2015, marking a new chapter in the vessel's journey.