Russian Shadow Fleet Oil Tanker Encounters New Challenges
An oil tanker currently under sanctions for its involvement in transporting Russian oil has encountered difficulties off the coast of Algeria, drifting in the Mediterranean Sea, as reported by tracking data from Bloomberg.
The LR2-class vessel, named Progress, was navigating eastward along the North African coastline towards the Suez Canal, carrying approximately 730,000 barrels of Russia’s flagship Urals crude. After passing Algiers on Wednesday afternoon, the ship unexpectedly altered its course northward, leaving the designated shipping lanes. By early Thursday, its navigation status changed to “Not under command,” with its speed dropping to around one knot, according to the data.
Western authorities are closely monitoring tankers transporting Russian oil, with over 600 vessels blacklisted for their roles in this trade. Notably, another tanker carrying Russian crude along a similar route was boarded by French and allied navies on Thursday.
As of Friday midday, the Progress continued to drift eastward at a speed of about one knot, as indicated by the tracking data.
The Equasis international shipping database identifies the manager of the Progress as Legacy Marine LLC, based in St. Petersburg, Russia. Attempts to reach the company via phone and email went unanswered.
The vessel’s deviation from shipping lanes, the subsequent change in navigation status, and the reduction in speed suggest a potential mechanical issue.
‘Not under command’:
The Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, defines “Not Under Command” as follows:
The term ‘vessel not under command’ refers to a vessel that, due to exceptional circumstances, is unable to maneuver as required by these Rules and therefore cannot keep out of the way of another vessel.
https://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/UNTS/Volume%201050/volume-1050-I-15824-English.pdf
Such circumstances generally include, but are not limited to:
- Steering gear failure
- Engine failure/propulsion loss
- Loss of power
- Unexpected damage
The Progress is currently under sanctions imposed by the European Union and the UK due to its involvement in the Russian oil trade. This 19-year-old ship, which has undergone two name changes since being blacklisted, recently switched its flag to Russia and was registered with the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping in November.
Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.
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An oil tanker currently under sanctions for its involvement in transporting Russian oil has encountered difficulties off the coast of Algeria, drifting in the Mediterranean Sea, as reported by tracking data from Bloomberg.
The LR2-class vessel, named Progress, was navigating eastward along the North African coastline towards the Suez Canal, carrying approximately 730,000 barrels of Russia’s flagship Urals crude. After passing Algiers on Wednesday afternoon, the ship unexpectedly altered its course northward, leaving the designated shipping lanes. By early Thursday, its navigation status changed to “Not under command,” with its speed dropping to around one knot, according to the data.
Western authorities are closely monitoring tankers transporting Russian oil, with over 600 vessels blacklisted for their roles in this trade. Notably, another tanker carrying Russian crude along a similar route was boarded by French and allied navies on Thursday.
As of Friday midday, the Progress continued to drift eastward at a speed of about one knot, as indicated by the tracking data.
The Equasis international shipping database identifies the manager of the Progress as Legacy Marine LLC, based in St. Petersburg, Russia. Attempts to reach the company via phone and email went unanswered.
The vessel’s deviation from shipping lanes, the subsequent change in navigation status, and the reduction in speed suggest a potential mechanical issue.
‘Not under command’:
The Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, defines “Not Under Command” as follows:
The term ‘vessel not under command’ refers to a vessel that, due to exceptional circumstances, is unable to maneuver as required by these Rules and therefore cannot keep out of the way of another vessel.
https://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/UNTS/Volume%201050/volume-1050-I-15824-English.pdf
Such circumstances generally include, but are not limited to:
- Steering gear failure
- Engine failure/propulsion loss
- Loss of power
- Unexpected damage
The Progress is currently under sanctions imposed by the European Union and the UK due to its involvement in the Russian oil trade. This 19-year-old ship, which has undergone two name changes since being blacklisted, recently switched its flag to Russia and was registered with the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping in November.
Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.
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