An investigative report by the Lithuanian media company LRT revealed that companies from the Baltic states are involved in refueling tankers of the Russian shadow fleet that transport oil circumventing international sanctions.
According to the investigation, a group of companies called Fast Bunkering is involved in the operations of refueling tankers that transport Russian oil. The refueling was repeatedly carried out by bunker tankers Rina and Zircone, controlled by firms from Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia affiliated with this group of companies.
According to the data obtained, from June 2024 to March 2025, these tankers conducted 286 operations to transship oil, refueling 177 tankers. Of these tankers, at least 159 entered Russian ports shortly before or after refueling.
Refueling tankers in European countries
According to the financial and analytical company S&P Global, at least 3100 operations to refuel tankers of the Russian shadow fleet were conducted off the coast of Malta, Greece, Gibraltar, the Netherlands, and other European countries in the 12 months leading up to April 2024.
The study revealed that companies from the Baltic states are involved in refueling tankers of the Russian fleet that carry oil circumventing sanctions. This practice raises questions about compliance with the sanctions regime and may have consequences for the companies involved in these operations.