Russian company Sovcomflot has renamed several of its oil tankers after they were targeted by United States sanctions. This move was reported by Bloomberg, highlighting a common practice among sanctioned entities to avoid detection and maintain operational capabilities.
According to the report, at least four tankers have not only changed their names but also switched their registered flags to Gabon. The tankers now bear the names: Kemerovo (formerly NS Columbus), Belgorod (formerly NS Bravo), Kaliningrad (formerly NS Captain), and Krasnoyarsk (formerly NS Creation). Such changes are tactical measures to distance these vessels from the sanctions lists maintained in databases, though they can still be identified by their unique and unchangeable International Maritime Organization (IMO) numbers.
Sovcomflot, which largely relies on its massive fleet to transport Russian oil, continues to operate despite these challenges. According to Clarkson Research Services Ltd., a division of the world’s largest ship brokerage, Sovcomflot remains the largest owner of Aframax tankers globally. Each tanker in this class can carry approximately 700,000 barrels of oil.
The United States, along with other G7 nations part of the Price Cap Coalition, are devising additional steps to cut down the revenue Russia generates from oil sales, which the Kremlin utilizes to fund its war against Ukraine.
Since the beginning of October, the US has intensified sanctions against a broad array of tankers transporting Russian oil, rendering dozens of these vessels inactive. Russian oil companies are also experiencing payment delays for oil and fuel, lasting several months. Banks in China, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates are becoming increasingly cautious due to the secondary sanctions imposed by the US, further complicating transactions for Russia.
This strategic renaming and reflagging of tankers underscore the ongoing cat-and-mouse game between sanction imposers and those attempting to circumvent these restrictions. As the international community continues to tighten sanctions, companies like Sovcomflot are finding novel ways to sustain their operations, often staying one step ahead in this global sanctions enforcement saga.
