What Crew Members Say About Dashan

On January 13, 2026, around noon, a stateless tanker, recently damaged at its stern, successfully navigated the Bosphorus Strait. After undergoing temporary repairs at an anchorage north of the strait, the vessel was towed southward by a convoy of seven tugs, led by the 'Kurtarma 9' (IMO: 9598581). Assisting in this complex maritime operation were the 'Kurtarma 5', 'Kurtarma 6', 'Kurtarma 12', 'Nazim Tur', and 'Aras Salvor'. The journey was closely monitored as the KEGM lifeboat 'Kiyem 9' provided escort for the convoy, ensuring a safe passage to Tuzla for permanent repairs. Stay tuned for visual coverage of this maritime event: https://www.haberdenizde.com/denizde-gundem/bogazda-dashan-konvoyu/

On December 10, 2025, Ukraine’s Security Service launched a successful strike using Sea Baby naval drones against the 'Dashan', a tanker linked to Russia’s clandestine maritime operations, as it navigated through Ukraine’s exclusive economic zone. The tanker, which was making its way at high speeds towards the port of Novorossiysk without its Automatic Identification System (AIS) activated, sustained significant damage due to explosions, particularly affecting the stern. Initial assessments indicate that the 'Dashan' is now out of commission. Valued at approximately $30 million, the vessel typically transports around $60 million worth of oil products per voyage. Notably, the European Union, the U.K., Canada, Australia, and Switzerland have previously placed sanctions on this tanker for its involvement in the illicit transportation of Russian oil while operating with its identification systems turned off. This act is part of a broader initiative to disrupt Russia's shadow fleet, making such maritime trade excessively dangerous for shipowners. For further details, you can view the report along with accompanying photo and video footage at the Kyiv Independent and on YouTube.

In a bold move to circumvent EU restrictions, numerous Russian vessels listed under EU sanctions have discreetly altered their names and flags. This apparent strategy aims to keep a low profile while these ships continue to operate in European waters. The European Union has compiled a comprehensive sanctions list, currently featuring 557 vessels linked to Russia or Belarus, effectively banning them from entering EU ports. To dodge these sanctions, several vessels have been reflagged and given new identities. A notable example includes the 'Mianzimu,' which was included in the sanctions list in 2024, now reflagged under the Gambian flag and renamed 'Dashan.' This vessel is presently making its way from Turkey to Russia. Similarly, the shadow fleet tanker 'Alissa' (IMO: 9273052) has undergone a name change to 'Soufia 1' and operates under the Swaziland flag while docking in Singaporean waters. Moreover, the former 'Galian 2,' now known as 'Delvina' (IMO: 9331153), is flagged under Comoros and has been spotted navigating European waters. Vessels recently added to the sanctions list are also being repurposed with new names and flags; for instance, 'Andromeda' (IMO: 9292204) has transformed into 'Amazon,' now sailing under the Omani flag towards the North Sea, headed for Egypt. The 'Marabella Sun' (IMO: 9323376), currently en route from Yalova to the Russian port of Primorsk, has also made the switch to a Gambian flag, a common cover for Russian maritime operations. Another vessel, 'Phoenix' (IMO: 9333424), has been renamed 'Photon' and is en route from Turkey to Tangier, also under the Gambian flag. Additionally, 'Pioneer' (IMO: 9255282), previously known as 'Futura' and briefly 'Sehnaz Ka,' is currently off Norway's coast, sailing from a Russian port in the Gulf of Finland to Sabetta, with an estimated arrival date of December 11. This cunning strategy highlights the lengths to which these vessels are willing to go to evade international scrutiny and sanctions imposed due to political tensions.

On March 16, 2025, the oil tanker 'Dashan', loaded with a significant cargo of 140,000 tons of crude oil and traveling from Novorossiysk to Port Said, encountered an engine failure in the Eceabat Strait, part of the Çanakkale Strait. Fortunately, the vessel was safely secured at the Bozcaada Anchorage Area, thanks to the swift coordination of the Çanakkale Ship Traffic Services Center. This incident underscores the importance of effective maritime traffic management in crucial waterways. For visual insight, view the footage here: https://x.com/i/status/1901366363483955233.

On December 16, 2024, during a Foreign Affairs Council meeting, the European Union unveiled its latest package of sanctions, which now includes an additional 52 vessels categorized as affiliates of Russia's military efforts. Notably, the 'Mianzimu' is among the ships listed, all of which have been identified by the EU as participants in activities that support Russia's ongoing war. These vessels predominantly engage in evading the Western-imposed oil price cap, ferrying arms, and transporting pilfered grain. This latest round of sanctions brings the EU's total count of targeted vessels to 79, with the majority linked to the transportation of Russian oil and the supply of arms for military operations. The sanctions package also extends to 54 individuals and 30 entities assessed to be enhancing Russia's war capacity. This includes specific entities and individuals from China and North Korea, who are implicated in providing dual-use goods that aid Russia's military initiatives. Among those sanctioned are two high-ranking officials from North Korea and seven individuals and firms from China. The overarching goal of these sanctions is to escalate the operational costs for Russia by barring access to EU ports and limiting their capacity to receive maritime services.

Tsakos Energy Navigation (TEN), a prominent player in the maritime sector based in Greece, has successfully executed a sale and leaseback deal involving its 2005-built Suezmax tankers, Eurochampion 2004 and Euronike. This transaction, valued at $65.2 million, is structured over a five-year period. The financial proceeds from this strategic move will serve to substantially reduce the company’s debt while simultaneously boosting its cash reserves by $16.0 million. The vessels were officially handed over to their new owners at the close of December 2017, marking a significant step in TEN’s ongoing financial optimization efforts.