Sanctions-evading tankers switch from Iranian to Russian trade

The involvement of a growing number of suspected sanctions-busting vessels illustrates the difficulties of enforcement as further sanctions on Russia’s oil sector loom. A FLEET of 26 tankers suspected of previously carrying sanctioned Iranian oil have switched to Russian trades, according to United Against Nuclear Iran. At least half of the 26 tankers delivered Russian oil and products to Asia, primarily to Dongjiakou, China and Mundra, India, data from UANI and Lloyd’s List Intelligence shows. Three of the very large crude carriers made ship-to-ship transfers in the notorious mid-Atlantic transfer hub in June, while the waters near Kavkaz and featured as transfer destinations for the smaller vessels.