International

UK sanctions target Russian energy giants and disrupt global maritime trade

Thursday, 16 October 2025 4:04AM UTC

The UK unveils its most comprehensive sanctions yet against Russia, targeting energy companies and shipping routes, intensifying efforts to weaken Russia's war economy amid ongoing international tensions.

The UK government has announced its "strongest sanctions yet" targeting Russia, imposing comprehensive measures aimed at crippling the country’s energy sector and associated maritime operations. The sanctions, which involve 90 new listings, prominently target Russian energy giants Rosneft and Lukoil — companies critical to Russia’s oil production capacity. Rosneft alone accounts for 6% of global oil output and nearly half of Russia’s total oil production, while together with Lukoil, these firms export about 3.1 million barrels of oil per day. This latest wave of UK sanctions follows earlier measures against Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas, Russia’s third and fourth largest energy companies.

The sanctions introduce a suite of restrictions including asset freezes, director disqualifications, credit limitations, transport bans, and prohibitions on British trust services. There are also robust measures affecting the maritime sector: 44 parallel fleet tankers, seven liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, and related vessels have been blacklisted. Sanctioned ships are barred from docking in UK ports, can face detention, and are prohibited from registering under the UK flag. Furthermore, the sanctions are expected to further constrict the availability of insurance for vessels carrying Russian cargo linked to these entities, effectively isolating Russian maritime trade from essential financial and logistical services.

In a notable expansion, the UK government has extended its sanctions to entities and infrastructure facilities in third countries that facilitate Russian energy exports. This includes the Indian Nayara refinery in Mumbai, owned by Russian interests and alleged to have imported over 100 million barrels of Russian crude in 2024 with an estimated value exceeding $5 billion. The UK is explicitly prohibiting imports of refined products derived from Russian-origin crude refined in foreign countries. Additionally, four Chinese oil terminals and the Beihai LNG terminal in China—linked to Russia’s LNG2 project previously sanctioned by the UK—are now targeted for their role in supporting Russian energy exports.

UK officials have framed these sanctions as part of their broader strategy to undermine Russia's war effort and bolster European and UK security. UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasised the importance of Ukraine's security for the stability of Europe, describing the sanctions as a step towards a "just and lasting peace" and strengthening the UK domestically. She noted that over 2,900 individuals and entities connected to Russia are currently under UK sanctions, with the government prepared to escalate measures further. Chancellor Rachel Reeves reinforced this stance, declaring that “Russian oil is off the market” as a clear signal to global players.

These UK sanctions form part of a coordinated international response to Russia’s ongoing military aggression in Ukraine, with similar moves by the United States targeting linked shipping networks and trade nodes. The US, for example, has recently imposed sanctions on Chinese companies and terminals involved in Iranian oil imports via shadow fleets, highlighting the increasing use of maritime "shadow fleets" to evade sanctions globally. Notably, the US government sanctioned the Rizhao Shihua Crude Oil Terminal in China for its role in receiving Iranian oil transported by sanctioned tankers, causing significant disruptions in oil unloading and port congestion. Several supertankers were rerouted from Rizhao to alternative Chinese ports such as Zhoushan and Ningbo, straining infrastructure and complicating logistics for major refiners like Sinopec and TotalEnergies.

The UK is also taking targeted action against specific firms in China and India that are complicit in facilitating Russian oil exports, signaling a readiness to press third-party nations to comply with sanctions policies. British Finance Minister Rachel Reeves warned companies in these countries against becoming circumventors of sanctions, underscoring a broader diplomatic effort to choke off Russian revenue streams by disrupting their global supply chains.

Shipping and logistics challenges created by these sanctions are mirrored in both the Russian and Chinese spheres. The blacklisting of Russian LNG carriers such as the newly built Buran, Zarya, Voskhod, and Christophe de Margerie, together with vessels flagged in the Marshall Islands and Malta, is expected to severely hamper Russia’s LNG export capabilities. Meanwhile, disruptions to Chinese port operations following US sanctions on terminals handling sensitive cargos—like Iranian oil—present a complex web of regulatory, commercial, and operational risks for global energy markets.

Taken together, these multifaceted sanctions reinforce the international community’s resolve to restrict Russia's economic capabilities. The UK government’s latest measures signal an escalation in the sanctions regime, expanding beyond Russian entities to include foreign companies and infrastructure complicity, thereby tightening the net on Russia’s shadow fleet and energy export mechanisms.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/regulations/uk-sanctions-dark-fleet-ships-and-russian-energy-majors - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-expands-russia-sanctions-with-90-new-listings-2025-10-15/ - On October 15, 2025, the UK government imposed new sanctions targeting Russia's two largest oil companies, Lukoil and Rosneft, along with 44 vessels from the so-called shadow fleet. These sanctions include asset freezes, director bans, transport restrictions, and prohibitions on British trust services. London criticized the companies' support for the Russian state and emphasized their strategic economic significance. British Finance Minister Rachel Reeves also warned companies in third countries like India and China against helping Russia bypass sanctions. The expanded measures include targeting 51 ships in total and various entities across the energy and defense sectors, such as India-based Nayara refinery and China’s Beihai LNG terminal for importing from the Arctic LNG2 facility.
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/tanker-diversions-sanctioned-chinese-terminal-may-cause-congestion-other-ports-2025-10-15/ - Following recent U.S. sanctions on the Rizhao Shihua Crude Oil Terminal in Lanshan, eastern China—linked to Sinopec for importing sanctioned Iranian oil—at least five crude oil tankers have been diverted to other Chinese ports, according to traders and shipping data. The terminal, which handles about one-fifth of Sinopec's crude oil imports, has disrupted unloading plans for multiple refiners and may cause congestion at alternative ports, particularly Zhoushan. Unipec, Sinopec’s trading arm, rerouted several Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs)—such as New Vista and Xin Yue Yang—to the Zhoushan and Ningbo ports. Additional tankers, including Spherical and the Suezmax Fulger, are also heading to Zhoushan, though it's uncertain where all will unload. Moreover, another VLCC, Habshan, chartered by TotalEnergies' shipping arm CSSA, was diverted to Tianjin port in northern China, carrying Congolese crude. These diversions are creating strain on infrastructure at other ports and may impact Sinopec Kantons Holding’s business operations. Major firms like TotalEnergies and Sinopec have yet to comment on the developments.
https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-is-taking-targeted-action-against-indian-chinese-firms-over-russian-oil-trade-2025-10-15/ - On October 15, 2025, UK Finance Minister Rachel Reeves announced that the British government is implementing targeted measures against specific companies in India and China for aiding the continuation of Russian oil exports on the global market. This action is part of a broader strategy to enforce economic pressure on Russia, and coincides with the issuance of new sanctions aimed at curbing the operations of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet.” These moves reflect the UK’s ongoing efforts to limit Russia’s revenue from oil amidst the ongoing geopolitical tensions stemming from its actions in Ukraine.
https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-imposes-sanctions-china-refinery-others-iran-oil-purchases-2025-10-09/ - The U.S. government has imposed sanctions on approximately 100 individuals, entities, and vessels linked to Iran’s oil and petrochemical trade, targeting especially Chinese companies and facilities. Notably, the Shandong Jincheng Petrochemical Group Co., an independent refinery in China, and the Rizhao Shihua Crude Oil Terminal Co. were sanctioned for their roles in purchasing and receiving Iranian oil via so-called “shadow fleet” tankers like Kongm, Big Mag, and Voy. The U.S. Treasury Department states that these oil trade networks help fund Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, as well as regional militant activities, although Iran insists its nuclear ambitions are peaceful. This move marks the fourth round of sanctions against China-based operations linked to Iranian oil. The State Department also sanctioned Jiangyin Foreversun Chemical Logistics, the first China-based terminal designated for receiving Iranian-origin petrochemical products. The actions coincide with a tentative ceasefire and hostage agreement between Israel and Hamas, a conflict that has drawn in regional actors including Iran. Responses from the Chinese embassy and Iran’s UN mission were not immediately available.
https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/unipec-diverts-supertanker-shandong-port-after-us-sanctions-2025-10-13/ - Unipec, the trading arm of China Petroleum and Chemical Corp (Sinopec), redirected a supertanker named New Vista away from the Rizhao port in Shandong province after the U.S. imposed sanctions on a terminal there. Originally set to discharge its cargo of Abu Dhabi’s Upper Zakum crude oil at Rizhao, the vessel changed course over the weekend toward the ports of Ningbo and Zhoushan, with an expected arrival on October 15, according to LSEG data. The sanctions, announced by the U.S. Treasury, target the Rizhao Shihua Crude Oil Terminal—half-owned by a Sinopec logistics unit—due to its alleged role in receiving Iranian oil from sanctioned vessels. The move is part of broader U.S. measures against entities involved in transporting Iranian crude oil and liquefied petroleum gas, and includes sanctions on an independent Chinese refinery as well. Rizhao serves as a significant hub for Sinopec, handling about one-fifth of its crude oil imports, making the sanctions a potentially disruptive event for China’s oil logistics. Sinopec has not commented on the matter.

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The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 10

Notes: The narrative is current, with the UK government's announcement of sanctions on Russian energy giants Rosneft and Lukoil, as well as 44 vessels from the 'shadow fleet', published on October 15, 2025. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-expands-russia-sanctions-with-90-new-listings-2025-10-15/?utm_source=openai))

Quotes check

Score: 10

Notes: The direct quotes from UK officials, including Finance Minister Rachel Reeves, are unique to this report and have not been found in earlier publications.

Source reliability

Score: 10

Notes: The narrative originates from Seatrade Maritime, a reputable industry-specific publication, enhancing its credibility.

Plausability check

Score: 10

Notes: The claims align with recent UK government actions and international sanctions against Russia's energy sector, supported by multiple reputable sources. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-expands-russia-sanctions-with-90-new-listings-2025-10-15/?utm_source=openai))

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary: The narrative is current, with unique quotes and sourced from a reputable publication. Claims are plausible and supported by recent actions and multiple reputable sources.

UK sanctions
Russian energy
Maritime trade disruptions