Under the new measures, nine alleged “facilitators” of the shadow fleet have been targeted. These include business figures linked to Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil, as well as shipping companies involved in the ownership and management of oil tankers. In addition, 14 more individuals and entities have been listed under the EU’s “hybrid threats” sanctions framework, the official said.
Among those sanctioned is Canadian-Pakistani oil trader Murtaza Lakhani, the chief executive officer of trading company Mercantile & Maritime.
The EU Official Journal stated that “through his companies, he enables the transportation and export of Russian oil, in particular oil from the Russian state-owned company Rosneft.”
It further noted that “Murtaza Lakhani in particular controls vessels that transport crude oil and petroleum products originating from or exported from Russia, using irregular and high-risk maritime practices.”
Also added to the sanctions list is Valery Kildiyarov, finance director of Litasco Middle East DMCC, the trading arm of Lukoil.
At the same time, Anar Madatli, Talat Safarov, and Etibar Ayub have been sanctioned over alleged links to trading firm Coral Energy, which has since been renamed the 2Rivers Group.
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