The European Union (EU) has imposed sanctions on Mumbai-based commercial ship manager Vigor Marine Services LLP, along with other individuals and entities, over alleged involvement in activities linked to Russia’s oil trade and the circumvention of EU sanctions.
The latest measures target three individuals and nine entities accused of helping Russia evade restrictions on oil-related transactions and the import of sanctioned goods. The sanctions were announced on Thursday as part of the EU’s continued efforts to restrict support for Russia’s war against Ukraine.
According to the European Council, Vigor Marine Services was sanctioned because two of its vessels were allegedly involved in transporting Russian-origin crude oil or petroleum products while engaging in what the EU described as irregular and high-risk shipping practices.
These practices reportedly included inadequate liability insurance, ship-to-ship transfers and the manipulation of vessels’ Automatic Identification System (AIS), which is used to track and identify ships.
Other Companies Targeted Over Russian Oil Trade
The sanctions also cover Hurus Trade FZE, a Dubai-based trading intermediary in the crude oil sector. The European Council accused the company of supplying Russian-origin crude oil to India, particularly to Nayara Energy Limited, which is already subject to EU restrictive measures.
Other entities targeted include Dubai-based DIS Logistics DMCC and Seychelles-based Shiva Shipping Ltd. Both were identified alongside Vigor Marine Services as part of what the EU described as the Russian oil trade’s “shadow fleet ecosystem”.
The shadow fleet generally refers to vessels and associated businesses used to transport sanctioned oil while avoiding restrictions through practices such as opaque ownership structures, irregular shipping operations and inadequate insurance arrangements.
EU Expands Action Against Sanctions Evasion
The latest measures also target companies and individuals allegedly involved in the parallel import of restricted goods and financial transactions that help circumvent EU sanctions.
Among them are Russia-based cargo delivery company Movers Group LLC and its general director, Dmitry Chudovsky, along with LLC DT Inier and its majority shareholder, Ivanna Savchuk.
The European Council described LLC DT Inier as a licensed Russian customs broker and logistics operator allegedly involved in decentralised sanctions circumvention schemes. Similar allegations were levelled against Türkiye-based trading companies Begler Tekstil Insaat Elektronik ve Dis Ticaret Ltd and Medse Group LLC, which reportedly operate international networks.
The EU also sanctioned Russia-based financial services company United Stream LLC and its founder, Svetlana Gumenyuk. The company was accused of acting as a payment agent and intermediary to facilitate the import of EU goods subject to restrictive measures.
India-based businesses have previously faced EU sanctions over alleged links to Russia’s military and industrial sectors. In October last year, three New Delhi-based companies providing services to the aviation industry were among 45 entities targeted by the bloc.
EU Warns of Continued Action
EU foreign and security policy chief Kaja Kallas said the latest measures were aimed at individuals and companies allegedly helping Russia circumvent restrictions and sustain its war against Ukraine.
She said EU sanctions had denied Russia more than €1 trillion and added that the bloc would continue to increase the cost of maintaining its military campaign.
The EU sanctions regime imposes an asset freeze on listed individuals and entities. It also prohibits the direct or indirect provision of funds or economic resources to them or for their benefit. Individuals placed on the sanctions list are additionally subject to travel bans to the European Union.
The latest action highlights the EU’s continued focus on shipping companies, trading intermediaries and financial networks suspected of facilitating Russian oil exports or helping move restricted goods despite existing sanctions.
