SIERRA

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Russian shadow tankers get registered in Malawi

The "Sierra," which since its delivery sailed for 13 years as the "Suvorovsky Prospect" for the Russian state shipping company Sovcomflot. However, this changed with Russia's attack on Ukraine. As a result of the EU investigation, the "Suvorovsky Prospect" became the 64th ship on the EU sanctions list in December 2024. For camouflage purposes, the "Suvorovsky Prospect" was renamed "Sierra." The new owner was a company in Dubai. At the same time, a "flag hopping" began. First, the ship went from Liberia to Gabon, then on to Barbados, and finally, via the African island republic of Sao Tome and Principe, to Malawi in June 2025. The new home port is Monkey Bay on Lake Malawi. However, no one knows who the real owner is. The question of insurance in the event of a shipwreck remains equally open. On July 3, 2025, the "Sierra" left the Baltic Sea with its "fake flag" after loading in Ust-Luga, Russia – unchallenged by German and Danish authorities. The crew listed Port Said as its destination. Meanwhile, Malawi is also alarmed. "The Government of the Republic of Malawi would like to clarify that Malawi does not currently have an international shipping registry. Therefore, these vessels are fraudulently registered," wrote David Mzandu, the country's Minister of Transport and Public Works. The country protested the use of its flag at the UN. The "Sierra" was able to leave the Baltic Sea unchallenged under a "false flag." Although the "Sierra" is now listed in international databases as a "false flag" ship, it was able to leave the Baltic Sea unchallenged on Friday with approximately 100,000 tons of crude oil.

Stateless tankers escorted by Russian corvette which camouflaged itself

The two stateless tankers 'Sierra' and 'Naxos' (IMO: 9336426) inbound to the Russian oil operations in the Baltic, were spotted sailing with the Russian Steregushchy-class corvette 'Boikiy'. following the increasing effort by the Baltic nations and the EU to crack down on the shadow fleet, and after after Estonia recemtöy jad attempted to inspect another tanker that was suspected of being stateless. The 'Bolky' had disguised itself using a fake ID signal while transiting through the English Channel with the two sanctioned tankers, a BBC. It broadcast the fake ID code as it passed through the Channel on June 21. The ship had left West Africa in June, where it had been taking part in a diplomatic mission and docked in Conakry. The corvette left the port without activating its AIS. However, a vessel travelling under the generic identification number 400000000 - a code sometimes used by vessels who want to alert others to their presence for safety reasons without identifying themselves - was seen briefly near the Canary Islands. The location was consistent with the time it could have taken the 'Boikiy' to travel the 200 kilometres from Conakry. The 'Boikiy' was later joined by the two tankers which had made their way from India through the Suez Canal and across the Mediterranean. The three vessels rendezvoused at the mouth of the Channel on June 20. Here, the Russian naval vessel appeared again in radar-based and optical satellite images. The 'Naxos' had reached the entrance to the Channel several days earlier than the other ships, and waited for the warship before proceeding into the channel. The Royal Navy shadowed the 'Boikiy' as it passed through the Channel. The vessels have since reached the Kattegat, but neither tanker was showing an accurate destination on its AIS. Both the 'Sierran' and the 'Naxos' been sanctioned by the UK, and one also by the EU. The tankers are linked to companies in Dubai and India. The 'Naxos' has been alternately using the name 'Selva ', displaying Palau as its flag, after previously showing Panama. In 2022, it reported registry first in the Marshall Islands and later in St. Kitts and Nevis. The 'Sierra' is displaying a flag of Malawi after having been registered in São Tomé & Principe in 2023 and before in Barbados and Gabon. Until 2022, the vessel was named 'Suvorovsky Prospect', managed by Russia’s Sovcomflot. The corvette appeared to be employed for various escort duties of merchant ships.In mid-May, it was spotted escorting the Russian-flagged cargo vessels 'Siyanie Severa' and 'Patria', while they headed south into the Atlantic Ocean. In March and in early May, the UK's Royal Navy tracked the warship along with merchant ships during transits of the English Channel. Last week, Denmark identified another stateless tanker inbound to Russia. The Danish Maritime Authority reported that the tanker had misled the authorities, reporting it was registered in Comoros. Denmark tracked the vessel into and out of the Baltic but did not attempt to stop it. Other countries, including Sweden, have vowed to increase their efforts if the stateless tankers enter their territories. The EU and UK have also increased the number of tankers they have listed. Report with photos: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62gq6y62d1o

Ship added to EU sanction list

The European Union has adopted its newest sanctions package on Dec 16, 2024, at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting, adding 52 new vessels, among them the 'Sierra', to the sanctions list that have been deemed by the EU to be supporting Russia’s war machine. The vessels that have been sanctioned are primarily involved in circumventing the oil price cap mechanism implemented by the West, in arms deliveries, and in the transportation of stolen grain. This latest package has brought the total number of vessels sanctioned by the EU to 79. The majority of the vessels are involved in the transport of Russian oil and in transporting arms for the Russian military. The sanctions package also targets a total of 54 individuals and 30 entities that are deemed to be bolstering Russia’s war effort. Among them, there are also entities and individuals in China and North Korea who have been deemed to be supplying Russia with dual-use materials to support Russia’s military efforts. Two senior North Korean officials and seven Chinese individuals and companies have been targeted in the latest sanctions. The purpose of the sanctions has been defined to increase the operational costs for Russia by banning them from ports in the EU and hindering them from receiving maritime services.