EU lifts sanctions on 5 Azerbaijani tankers

The European Union has lifted sanctions on five Azerbaijani tankers, the Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company (ASCO) said in a statement.

“The Council of the European Union decided on April 23, 2026 to cancel the sanctions against MV Zagatala, owned by the ASCO, as well as MV Shusha, Karabakh, Khankendi and Zangezur, owned by SA Maritime AFZECO , a joint venture of the ASCO and the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijani Republic (SOCAR). Consistent with that decision, the ships were excluded from the European Union’s sanctions list,” the statement said.

The positive decision is a result of coordinated diplomatic and legal efforts by the Azerbaijani presidential administration, the Foreign Ministry, the Digital Development and Transportation Ministry, the ASCO, and the SOCAR, it said.

“Please note that the ships were in long-term lease by third parties consistent with charter contracts and their operation fully complied with international regulations, including sanctions. The decision is viewed as a result of the impartial approach that rests upon international law, as well as constructive dialogue,” the statement said.

According to public information, the European Union, the United Kingdom and Canada sanctioned the tankers in 2025 on suspicion of transporting Russian oil.