Crew Reviews, Ratings & Info for Marabella-Sun

Environmental advocacy group Ecologistas en Acción de Andalucía has urged Spanish maritime rescue services, Salvamento Marítimo, to heighten their surveillance efforts as the Russian tanker 'Chariot Tide' remains adrift near Almería. This vessel, which is under scrutiny for allegedly trafficking Russian crude oil and refined products in defiance of international sanctions, is currently persistently drifting at a mere one knot. The monitoring efforts are being led by the Spanish ship 'Clara Campoamor', as concerns grow over the tanker’s apparent navigation system issues. Previously reported as not under command (NUC) amidst a crucial shipping lane of the Strait of Gibraltar's Southern Sea Route, the 'Chariot Tide' is purportedly on its way to Tangier-Med with over 425,000 barrels of refined products, all of which are of Russian origin having been loaded at Ust-Luga, Russia. Given its erratic course, there are fears that these fuels may ultimately find their way onto the market through Algerian ports or via deceptive supply barges, all under fraudulent export documentation. On January 22, the tanker, which had previously transported approximately 300,000 barrels of diesel from primorsk, Russia, began to encounter serious operational difficulties after navigating through the Baltic Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The vessel’s sporadic movement—oscillating between slow navigation and drifting—has raised alarms, especially as Spanish naval forces are reportedly operating nearby. Despite its challenges, the 'Chariot Tide' is making efforts to avoid entering Spanish territorial waters, presumably to evade potential seizure. Under European Union and United Kingdom sanctions since 2024, the vessel has claimed registration in several countries, including Mozambique, Gambia, and Comoros; however, these claims have proven to be false. The last inspection conducted in February 2024 flagged 14 deficiencies, highlighting serious concerns about the ship’s structural integrity and operational capacity. Ownership of the tanker is obscured as it is registered to a shell company based in the Marshall Islands. The lack of a flag, adequate insurance, and transparent ownership complicates the situation further, hindering the vessel's ability to secure much-needed repairs and support. Reports indicate that the crew may currently be focused on resolving critical issues with the ship's engine or steering mechanisms.

The tanker 'Progress' (IMO: 9306627), associated with the notorious Russian shadow fleet, has resumed its voyage after issuing a distress signal last week while navigating the Mediterranean Sea. In a stark contrast, another vessel, the 'Chariot Tide', has been rendered stationary for three consecutive days. The 'Progress', which carries an impressive 730,000 barrels of crude oil, shifted its status to Not Under Command (NUC) on January 21, shortly after it passed Algiers. Following that, it drifted away from the Algerian coast and ceased sharing its geolocation. Recently, it was spotted navigating north of Tunisia again, having reactivated its position updates, now heading towards Port Said at a steady speed of 12 knots. Meanwhile, the 'Chariot Tide', laden with roughly 300,000 barrels of crude oil, declared NUC on January 22 following its passage through the Strait of Gibraltar. This vessel experienced a 27-hour stall before being taken in tow by the tug 'VB Spartel' on January 23. By January 26, the 'Chariot Tide' remained stationary in the waters between Spain and Morocco, having been towed into international territory under the jurisdiction of the Spanish Search and Rescue (SAR) zone. It was adrift at a slow pace of 1.7 knots, positioned at 36° 08' N, 002° 59' W. On January 27, the tanker was being escorted to Tanger Med by the SAR vessel 'Clara Campoamor' (IMO: 9338022). Formerly known as 'Marabella Sun' until November, the 'Chariot Tide', operating under a Mozambique flag, has been on the EU sanctions list since November 2024 for its involvement in aiding Russia’s oil exports while employing risky and irregular shipping methods. Additionally, the vessel faces sanctions from the UK government. Presently, it is estimated that between 1,200 and 1,600 tankers are part of a shadow fleet, facilitating countries like Russia, Venezuela, and Iran in evading Western sanctions and selling oil to markets in China and India. This shadow fleet predominantly consists of older vessels operated without transparency and lacking the insurance coverage needed to comply with international standards required by major oil companies and numerous ports.

In a significant maritime development, the Moroccan tug 'VB Spartel' (IMO: 9344617) was dispatched from the Tanger-Med port to stabilize the drifting tanker 'Progress', which has recently raised alarms due to its perilous position in the Strait of Gibraltar. This vessel has been labeled a 'ghost tanker', flagged for being on sanctions lists by both the European Union and the United Kingdom. With an alarming damage rate of 42% and carrying approximately 425,000 barrels of Russian refined products, the Progress presents a considerable environmental threat given its compromised technical state. The precarious situation escalated when the tanker lost control in the southern channel of the traffic separation scheme, registering a slow drift at a mere 0.6 knots. To exacerbate the complexities of this situation, the Spanish authorities have deployed the pollution control vessel 'Luz de Mar' (IMO: 9320104) from Algeciras. Although positioned nearby, the ship has remained at a safe distance due to the potential legal complications surrounding a direct Spanish intervention, which could entail a seizure based on international sanction violations. Experts continue to monitor the event closely, emphasizing the need for immediate action to prevent a possible environmental disaster.

A number of Russian ships listed under EU sanctions have recently undergone name changes and reflagging in a bid to skirt regulatory scrutiny. These vessels, part of the so-called shadow fleet, are now navigating through European waters despite being on an official sanctions list that currently includes 557 ships linked to Russia and Belarus. This list bars these vessels from gaining entry into EU ports. As a strategic response to these sanctions, Russian operators are rebranding their ships to mislead authorities. One notable example is the vessel 'Mianzimu' (IMO: 9299666), which was added to the sanctions list in 2024. This ship has now taken on the Gambian flag and has been renamed 'Dashan', with its current trajectory from Turkey back to Russia. Similarly, the former 'Alissa' (IMO: 9273052) has been transformed into 'Soufia 1' under the Swaziland flag and is now situated in the waters near Singapore. Another vessel, 'Delvina' (IMO: 9331153), previously known as 'Galian 2', has reflagged itself to the Comoros and is navigating European waters. Several ships that joined the sanctions list in 2024 are currently reported operating in these waters, often opting for new names and flag states to mask their identities. The vessel 'Andromeda' has been renamed 'Amazon' and now sails under the Omani flag, currently traversing the North Sea as it moves from Russia to Egypt. The 'Marabella Sun' (IMO: 9323376), now known as 'Chariot Ride', is also in the North Sea, heading from Yalova to Primorsk, having switched to the Gambian flag – a common choice for Russian operators seeking to conceal their activities. In addition, the ship 'Phoenix' (IMO: 9333424) has been renamed 'Photon' and is presently sailing under the Gambian flag, with its latest route taking it from Turkey to Tangier. Furthermore, the 'Pioneer' (IMO: 9255282), once called 'Futura' and briefly 'Sehnaz Ka', is navigating near the coast of Norway on a route from a Russian port in the Gulf of Finland to Sabetta, with an anticipated arrival date of December 11. These developments highlight the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in enforcing maritime sanctions amid the changing tactics of vessels on the sanctions lists.

In a decisive move to curb Russia's military operations, the European Union unveiled its latest sanctions package on December 16, 2024, during a Foreign Affairs Council meeting. This new round of sanctions has added 52 vessels to its blacklist, including the 'Marabella Sun', which the EU has identified as contributing to Russia's military endeavors. The sanctioned vessels are primarily linked to activities that circumvent the oil price cap imposed by Western nations, partake in arms shipments, and are involved in the transport of pilfered grain. With this addition, the total number of vessels under EU sanctions now stands at 79, reflecting a concerted effort to impede the flow of Russian oil and military supplies. Furthermore, the sanctions package extends its reach to 54 individuals and 30 entities identified as facilitators of Russia's war campaign. Notably, it includes individuals and entities from China and North Korea, recognized for supplying dual-use materials to support Russian military initiatives. This latest round of sanctions specifically targets two high-ranking North Korean officials and seven individuals and companies from China. The overarching goal of these sanctions is to escalate the operational costs for Russia, effectively barring its access to EU ports and limiting its ability to secure maritime services.

A crew member aboard the Latvian vessel 'Piltene' tragically lost his life on October 14, 2016, with more details emerging recently from the Federal Police of Pernambuco. The victim, 31-year-old Kiselovs Vladislavs, was tasked with cleaning the engine room at the time of the accident. He was discovered on the main deck, suffering from severe injuries, including fractures to his right arm, ribs, and jaw, as well as hives around his eyes. The incident occurred shortly after the ship departed from Itaqui, Maranhão, en route to Suape, at the Cape of St. Augustine. Despite immediate first-aid efforts, Kiselovs succumbed to his injuries. After his passing, the body was stored in the ship's cold room and subsequently delivered to the Medical Legal Institute (IML) in Recife on October 17. Initial investigations were launched by both federal and military police of the Brazilian Navy, who believe the death was a result of a fall from a substantial height on the ship. Following the retrieval of Kiselovs' body, 'Piltene' was cleared for departure by the Federal Police. The process to transfer his remains, which includes embalming after examinations at the IML, will facilitate his repatriation to Russia for burial arrangements, with the body set to be released on April 24, 2017.