Albania Blocks Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker From Entering Durres Port

Ukraine’s military intelligence said Russia’s shadow fleet uses risky and deceptive methods to bypass sanctions and make money from oil sales. It also warned that these vessels can pose risks to ships and the environment.

GUR reported that some vessels switch off tracking systems, make dangerous manoeuvres and do not meet modern environmental standards.

The logistics for HANUMAN’s voyages were handled by Altoprae Marine, a Russian company based in Novorossiysk, according to GUR.

The Ukrainian agency stated that the company was founded and is managed by a senior manager from the orbit of sanctioned Russian oligarch Gennadiy Timchenko, whom it described as a close associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

GUR added that the company Altoprae Marine is known for regularly maintaining tankers that are part of the Russian shadow fleet.

One of the vessels linked to the company is EVENTIN. According to GUR, the tanker is under sanctions from the European Union, Switzerland, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Ukraine.

Another is CORDELIA MOON, now named WALRUS. It is under sanctions from the United Kingdom, Canada, the European Union, Switzerland, Australia and Ukraine.

The agency reported that both vessels have been involved in incidents that threatened environmental safety.

GUR also linked Altoprae Marine to the operations of vessels belonging to Rosewood Shipping, which the agency identified as being connected to Oksana Marchenko, the wife of Viktor Medvedchuk.

The tanker HANUMAN had previously called at the Port of Durres in November 2025.

A BIRN investigation published in May 2026 identified the tanker among vessels suspected of carrying Russian oil or stolen Ukrainian grain that had called at Albanian ports since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Albania is a NATO member and an EU candidate country. It has followed EU sanctions against Russia since February 2022.

References: albaniandailynews, usm