Shadow Fleet Secrets: How formerly Greek-owned tankers ended up transporting Russian oil

In November 2022, the Greek-owned tanker Aris completed its last oil delivery from Russia to Singapore. Two months later, on January 31, 2023, the ship transmitted its final signal in the Straits of Singapore, marking the end of nearly two decades of service.

On the same day, the Aris, built in 2005, was sold by the New York Stock Exchange-listed shipping company Tsakos Energy Navigation Limited (TEN), headed by Nikolas Tsakos, for $21 million. The buyer was Chatula Marine Ltd, based in the Marshall Islands.

Within three weeks of its legal sale, the Aris resurfaced under a new identity. Renamed Canis Power, it began sailing under the Cook Islands flag and was managed by Radiating World Shipping Services, based in the United Arab Emirates. It soon set sail for Europe, making a brief stop in Amsterdam before continuing on to the Russian port of Vysotsk.

In the summer of 2024, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the Canis Power for transporting Russian oil, circumventing Western bans and restrictions. Soon after, the tanker, once again, changed identity (N