According to a UK Foreign Affairs press release, the UK has targeted Russian oil trade and the shadow fleet involved in related oil transfers.
Today’s measures also tighten restrictions on those facilitating Russia’s illicit shadow fleet oil trade, including INTERSHIPPING SERVICES LLC, which is responsible for registering shadow fleet vessels under the Gabonese flag. These vessels transport up to $10 billion worth of goods annually on behalf of the Russian state. Sanctions also apply to LITASCO MIDDLE EAST DMCC, linked to Russian oil giant Lukoil, for its ongoing role in moving large volumes of Russian oil via shadow fleet vessels.
As per Intershipping’s website, they are the sole authorized representative for the Maritime Administration of the Gabonese Republic worldwide. Below is a quote from their website:
*”Intershipping Services is the sole Authorized Representative for the Maritime Administration of the Gabonese Republic worldwide.
It is based in the UAE, with its head office in Ajman, UAE, along with branch offices in Dubai, UAE, and Piraeus, Greece.
His Excellency Justin NDOUNDANGOYE, Minister of Transport and Logistics, and Mr. Hysham Shaikh, Director of Intershipping Services LLC, signed the exclusive association agreement on 15 September 2018 in Libreville, Gabonese Republic, for the establishment and operation of the Gabonese International Register of Ships worldwide by Intershipping Services.”*
According to an ITF press release dated 22 May 2024, Gabon was added to the list of Flags of Convenience (FOC), along with Eswatini. Below is a quote from the ITF press release:
*”The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has added two new countries to its longstanding list of Flags of Convenience.
Two ship registries strongly associated with ‘dark fleet’ transportation—Gabon and Eswatini—are the latest additions to the ITF’s Flags of Convenience (FOC) list.
The additions coincide with the removal of Tonga from the 76-year-old list, bringing the total number of FOCs to 43.”*
The screenshot of the Gabon Flag circular below clearly shows the relationship between the Gabon Flag registry and Intershipping Services.
The link from the IMO website below also confirms that ISS acts on behalf of the Gabon Flag.
The full list of 135 vessels can be found via the link below.
