UK Sanctions 5 Vessels and 2 Entities Linked to Russia's "Shadow Fleet"

The UK has sanctioned 5 vessels and 2 entities connected to Russia's liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, including from Russia’s flagship Arctic LNG 2 project.

This was reported on September 26 on the UK government website.

The vessels include Pioneer and Asya Energy, both of which were also sanctioned by the US last month.

“Today’s action builds on efforts alongside allies to bear down on Russia’s attempts to bolster its future energy revenues - the most critical source of funding for Putin’s war in Ukraine,” the statement said. 

The vessels sanctioned by the UK: 

• PIONEER (IMO 9256602) 

• ASYA ENERGY (IMO 9216298) 

• NOVA ENERGY (IMO 9324277) 

• NORTH SKY (IMO 9953523) 

• SCF LA PEROUSE (IMO 9849887)  

The sanctioned entities associated with the vessels: 

• OCEAN SPEEDSTAR SOLUTIONS OPC – The operator and manager of PIONEER and ASYA ENERGY. 

• WHITE FOX SHIP MANAGEMENT – The operator and manager of NORTH SKY  

LNG serves as an important source of funding for Russia’s war in Ukraine. In July 2024, the UK imposed sanctions on 11 oil tankers involved in aiding Russia's export of supplies to customers, including some linked to the “shadow fleet”.

The shadow fleet are vessels with obscure ownership structures meant to conceal their transportation of sanctioned Russian oil and wet cargo since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.