Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – A shadow fleet oil tanker that until recently sailed under the Gambian flag has been detained by Russian authorities in Murmansk, following complaints from its crew over unpaid wages and contract irregularities.
The vessel, Unity, built in 2009, is part of the so-called “shadow fleet” that transports Russian oil under constantly shifting registries to circumvent Western sanctions. Maritime databases show that the tanker switched from Gambia’s flag to that of Lesotho in August, shortly after its Gambian registration expired on August 5.
The Russian Seafarers’ Union confirmed that the crew of 20 sailors is owed nearly $90,000 in back wages as of mid-August. They only received June salaries at the end of July, while others who had already disembarked remain unpaid.
The sailors are also demanding compensation for transiting a pirate-prone zone and penalties for delayed payments.
The change of flag has added to the uncertainty. Some contracts still list the previous operator, Argo Tanker Group—sanctioned by the United States in January 2025—while the ship is now reportedly under UAE-based Petroleum United FZCO. Crew members fear their contracts may no longer be valid under the new registry, potentially leaving them without insurance coverage.
A port state inspection in Murmansk on August 28 uncovered multiple violations, including unpaid wages, expired documents, and a non-functioning communication system. Authorities barred the Unity from departing until the issues are addressed. Reports suggest the wage arrears total about 4.9 million rubles (over $50,000), with additional amounts unpaid.
The Unity has changed its name and flag four times since 2021—including a brief stint under the Russian flag between September 2024 and February 2025. It remains sanctioned by Australia, Canada, the EU, the UK, and Switzerland for violating the Western oil price cap.
For The Gambia, the case underscores the reputational risks tied to its ship registry, which has been used by vessels operating in sanction-hit sectors. Maritime analysts warn that such practices could attract scrutiny from international regulators and potentially undermine confidence in Gambia’s flag registry system.
Meanwhile, Russian authorities have also cited Argo Tanker Group for failing to pay over $130,000 in wages to the crew of another vessel, the Dignity, which still sails under the Russian flag.
