Albanian port authorities on August 29 prevented the oil tanker Hanuman from entering the Port of Durres after Ukraine’s military intelligence identified the vessel as part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” used to transport oil and fuel despite Western sanctions.

The Sierra Leone-flagged tanker, IMO 9295048, was added to Ukraine’s “War&Sanctions” database in January. Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR) welcomed Albania’s decision, calling it an important example of international cooperation in enforcing sanctions against Russia.

According to GUR, Hanuman has transported at least 452,000 metric tons of fuel from Russia since the beginning of 2025. Its voyages have mainly originated from Novorossiysk, with reported destinations including Turkey, Senegal, the United Arab Emirates and waters near Augusta, Italy.

Ukrainian intelligence also links the vessel to Russian company Altoprae Marine, which it says has provided logistical support to several tankers targeted by Western sanctions.

The Hanuman had previously visited the Port of Durres in November 2025. A BIRN investigation published in May 2026 identified the tanker among vessels suspected of transporting Russian oil or stolen Ukrainian grain that had called at Albanian ports since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Albania, a NATO member and EU candidate, has aligned itself with EU sanctions against Russia since February 2022.