Premier

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 'Premier', 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.

According to HMD press service, South Korea-based Hyundai Mipo Dockyard on April 5, 2011 handed over to Sovcomflot the 70,000 DWT "SCF Prime", the last tanker in a series of vessels built at the shipyard for SCF. The South Korean enterprise is currently building for Sovcomflot the SCF Progress tanker (scheduled for delivery – 2012) and 3 dry cargo ships - NS Yakutia, NS Ust Luga and NS Vanino (delivery - in 2013). SCF Group (SCF) is one of the largest Russian shipping operators, ranks among five top global tanker companies. The company's fleet comprises 153 vessels with total deadweight of 11,87 million tons. The Group’s newbuilding program includes 15 vessels with total deadweight of about 1,73 million tons.