The EU's latest sanctions package includes Turkish tankers BİLAL BEY and BEBEK-E for aiding sanctioned vessels with services.
BİLAL BEY and the former BEBEK-E have been added to the EU sanctions list.
The Turkish-flagged BİLAL BEY and the tanker listed as BEBEK-E with IMO number 7808401 were included in the European Union's 21st sanctions package against Russia. It was announced that both vessels were added to the list for providing bunker, tugboat, or similar services to ships under sanctions.
The regulation numbered 2026/1848, accepted by the European Union on July 23, came into effect on July 24. In the regulation, BİLAL BEY is listed separately with IMO number 8984848, and BEBEK-E is listed with IMO number 7808401. The reason for the inclusion of both vessels in the list is stated as providing support services such as bunkering and tugboat services to previously identified vessels.
With the 21st package of the EU, a total of 41 more ships have been brought under restriction. The entry of these vessels into EU ports and their ability to receive a wide range of maritime services from EU-based individuals and companies will be prohibited. The package extends not only to tankers carrying Russian oil but also to vessels providing fuel, towing, or other logistical services to structures defined as shadow fleets.
According to the records of the İMEAK Chamber of Shipping, BİLAL BEY appears as a Turkish-flagged vessel, registered in Istanbul, and is currently active in service. The owner of the vessel, ÇEV-KOR Ship Supply Services Limited Company, is noted to have a carrying capacity of 371 DWT, a gross tonnage of 195 GT, and a year of construction as 1983. In the DTO registry, the vessel's subtype is listed as a 'waste collection vessel.'
The vessel with IMO number 7808401, although found under the name BEBEK-E in the EU regulation, is currently shown as BODY under the Tanzanian flag in the latest commercial AIS databases. The Danish Maritime Authority specifically reminds that, in the context of sanctions control, it is necessary to look at the unchanged IMO number rather than the vessel's name.
The inclusion of a vessel on the sanctions list does not imply a criminal conviction against the owner or operator. This is an administrative and economic restrictive measure applied under EU law. However, it can have extremely severe commercial consequences in terms of working with EU banks, insurers, ports, bunker suppliers, and technical service providers.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
