What Crew Members Say About Medna

A new sanctions package of the US government on Feb 6, 2025, targeted the 'CH Billion', which took on more than 700,000 barrels of Iranian crude from a Tehran-owned tanker in waters off Singapore in 2024. The vessel was also used to ferry oil from Russia’s Pacific port of Kozmino. The fleet involved in that trade was heavily sanctioned last month, and two other tankers, the 'Gioiosa' and the 'Star Forest'. Separately, the 'Siri' was also singled out. The already-sanctioned vessel has been operating under a disguise after its Iranian owner falsified documents and physically hid its name to conceal its identity and pass it off as a different tanker called 'New Prime'. The sanctions also targeted several entities and individuals across different countries that were involved in the trade, which was on behalf of Tehran’s Armed Forces General Staff and its sanctioned front company, Sepehr Energy Jahan Nama Pars.

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 'Siri', 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.

Four Russian tankers carrying oil and refined products, the 'Anthea','Elsa' (IMO: 9256468), 'Hebe' (IMO: 9259185) and 'Baxter' have become immobilized at sea following the imposition of new Iran-related sanctions by the United States, imposed on April 4, 2024, and targeting the shipping company, Oceanlink Maritime DMCC, and its vessels, citing their alleged involvement in transporting commodities on behalf of the Iranian military. The U.S. Treasury Department aimed to isolate Iran and disrupt its ability to fund proxy groups allegedly supporting Russia in the Ukraine war. The 'Anthea' received 200,000 metric tons of Russian Ural crude oil via STS from two vessels near the Laconian Gulfin late March and is underway to Singapore with an ETA as of April 30. The 'Elsa' received 100,000 metric tons of fuel oil through STS near the Port of Kalamata. The fuel oil was originally supplied to Kalamata from ports in St. Petersburg and Ust-Luga, Russia. The 'Elsa' was underway to Qingdao with an ETA as of May 12. The 'Hebe' was loaded with 100,000 metric tons of fuel oil at St. Petersburg and Ust-Luga. It was heading towards the Suez Canal, with its final destination unclear. The 'Baxter' (IMO: 9282522) was carrying naphtha from the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk and destined for India. The vessel has been drifting in the Arabian Sea since April 5.