The Council of the European Union has expanded the sanctions imposed on Russia due to its war against Ukraine with its decision dated June 15, 2026, numbered 2026/1364. Under the new regulation, 9 individuals and 45 entities have been added to the sanctions list, with the inclusion of three Turkey-based shipping companies drawing attention.

According to the decision published in the Official Journal of the EU, East Shipping Management Inc., EMT Shipping Management Inc., and Trans KA Tankers Management have been sanctioned for providing technical management services to certain vessels transporting crude oil and petroleum products exported from Russia.

East Shipping Management Inc.

The decision claims that the Istanbul-based East Shipping Management Inc.'s technical management of the vessels named Azure, Jasper, and Storm Pearl lacks adequate liability insurance, conducts ship-to-ship (STS) transfer operations, and manipulates the Automatic Identification System (AIS).

In line with these allegations, the EU asserted that the company manages vessels transporting petroleum products exported from Russia and operates under irregular and high-risk maritime practices as defined in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Assembly Resolution A.1192(33).

EMT Shipping Management Inc.

Similar reasons were cited for another Turkish company, EMT Shipping Management Inc., which was also included in the sanctions list.

The EU decision stated that the vessels Quartz, South Star, and Opal, for which the company is the technical manager, lack adequate liability insurance, conduct STS operations, and manipulate AIS.

Trans KA Tankers Management also on the list

Similar evaluations were made for another Turkish company, Trans KA Tankers Management, which is also on the EU sanctions list.

The decision claimed that the vessels under the company's technical management transport crude oil and petroleum products exported from Russia, lack adequate liability insurance, and are involved in irregular and high-risk maritime practices as defined in the IMO Assembly Resolution A.1192(33).

Numerous international shipping companies also under sanctions

In the new sanctions package, in addition to Turkish companies, many shipping and technical management firms based in the United Arab Emirates, Russia, Azerbaijan, Hong Kong, Belarus, and China were also included.

Among the companies listed are:

- ESEA Venture Shipping Management LLC (UAE)

- Gazpromneft Shipping (Russia)

- Global Ship Solutions LLC (Azerbaijan)

- Glory Shipping HK Limited (Hong Kong)

- KONTUR SPB LLC (Russia)

- Kord-Bunker LLC (Russia)

- Morskoy Standart-Bunker LLC (Russia)

- Sea Engineering Limited (Russia)

- Orchid Shipmanagement LLC-FZ (UAE)

- Transbunker-Novo Company Limited (Russia)

- Valkur LLC (Russia)

- Volga Oil Shipping Company (Russia)

- Lukoil-Western Siberia LLC (Russia)

- Nord Axis Ltd (Hong Kong)

The EU stated that the vessels for which these companies are the technical managers or operators are evaluated under high-risk maritime activities as specified in the IMO Assembly Resolution A.1192(33) due to practices such as ship-to-ship transfer while carrying Russian oil, AIS manipulation, and inadequate liability insurance.

Source: LOJİPORT

Source: SeaNews Türkiye