What Crew Members Say About Sirius

A critical environmental warning has been issued by the Norwegian Shipowners' Association regarding the presence of the 'Sirius', a tanker navigating off the Norwegian coast. Currently en route from Murmansk to Port Said, this vessel is believed to be part of Russia's shadow fleet, raising alarms about its condition and lack of insurance. Since its launch in 2009, the 'Sirius' has undergone multiple name changes and has been registered across several countries. According to reports from the Vardø Maritime Traffic Center, the ship's current cargo consists of diesel fuel. Owned by the state-controlled Russian shipping giant Sovcomflot, which is under international sanctions, the tanker is currently registered in Gabon after previously being known as 'SCF Surgut' while registered in Barbados. Notably, in the past month, at least five other ships from the same shadow fleet have traversed the waters past North Cape, including gas tankers 'North Way', 'North Mountain', 'North Sky', and 'North Air', all of which are registered in Bermuda and face U.S. sanctions. Additionally, the Sovcomflot-operated vessel 'Christophe de Margerie' was spotted east of Novaya Zemlya. The latest AIS transmissions for these vessels indicate that they are one to two months old. As it stands, 79 ships are currently listed on the EU's sanctions blacklist, with over 60 vessels belonging to Sovcomflot facing restrictions from the United States.

On December 16, 2024, the European Union took decisive action during its Foreign Affairs Council meeting, unveiling a new sanctions package that includes 52 additional vessels, such as the 'Sirius'. These ships have been officially designated as supporters of Russia’s military operations. Most of the sanctioned vessels are implicated in activities aimed at bypassing the oil price cap established by Western nations, engaging in arms shipments, and facilitating the transport of looted grain. With this latest package, the EU has now sanctioned a total of 79 vessels. A significant portion of these ships is involved in the transportation of Russian oil and arms for the Russian armed forces. In addition to maritime sanctions, the European Union's new measures extend to 54 individuals and 30 entities that are believed to enhance Russia's war capabilities. Notably, the sanctions target entities and individuals from China and North Korea, which are accused of providing dual-use materials that bolster Russia's military efforts. Among those sanctioned are two high-ranking officials from North Korea and seven entities and individuals based in China. The overarching goal of this sanctions initiative is to elevate operational costs for Russia by restricting access to EU ports and limiting their ability to receive vital maritime services.