Albania Blocks Russian-Linked Tanker Carrying 452,000 Tonnes of Fuel
Ukraine’s intelligence agency hails Durres port’s decision to turn away the 34,620 dwt Hanuman.
Ukraine’s Intelligence Directorate (GUR) has praised Albania for blocking a product tanker accused of violating international sanctions by transporting Russian fuel. The vessel, Hanuman, was turned away from the port of Durres on August 29 after Albanian authorities instructed it to stay clear while still 12 miles offshore.
The 34,620-dwt tanker, measuring 171 meters in length, was built in 2004 and now sails under the flag of Sierra Leone. Ukraine’s GUR claims the ship is backed by Altoprae Marine, a company based in Novorossiysk, Russia, with ties to sanctioned oligarch Gennady Timchenko. The same firm has been linked to other vessels facing legal issues, including the Eventin, detained in Germany since January 2025, and the Russian-flagged Cordelia Moon, also known as Walrus and Garnizon.
Ukraine imposed sanctions on the Hanuman in January 2026, alleging it has transported at least 452,000 tonnes of Russian fuel products since early 2025. The tanker’s documented routes include shipments from Novorossiysk to Turkey, Senegal, and the UAE, with additional ship-to-ship transfers recorded near Augusta, Italy. This is not the first time the vessel has faced scrutiny—Russian authorities detained it in March for deficiencies in its inert gas system and pollution prevention measures.
Albania’s Stance on Sanctions Enforcement
The decision to deny the Hanuman entry reflects Albania’s alignment with international efforts to disrupt Russian-linked maritime trade. The GUR described the move as a significant show of support for sanctions, stating:
“Albania’s decision to deny Hanuman access to its port is an important demonstration of solidarity with international sanctions.”
Ukraine’s Intelligence Directorate·State intelligence agency
After being turned away, the Hanuman was tracked moving through the Adriatic, first to Croatia and later anchoring off Malta. The incident is part of Ukraine’s broader campaign to target vessels suspected of supporting Russia’s economy, including efforts to seize ships accused of transporting stolen grain and pursuing legal action against Russian assets abroad. Last week, Ukraine’s state-owned energy company Naftogaz secured the seizure of a Russian research vessel in Norway as part of its efforts to enforce compensation for assets lost in Crimea.
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