Russian Shadow Fleet's Insurance Fraud Scheme exposed by suspicion report to regulator

An elaborate Russian scheme issuing fraudulent ship insurance has been exposed, revealing how Norwegian shell company Ro Marine has deceived authorities worldwide.

The operation, masterminded by Russian businessman Andrey Mochalin from St. Petersburg, threatens maritime safety and undermines international sanctions.

• The scheme undermined a 12-nation NATO initiative designed to protect Baltic waters.
• At least seven oil ships successfully presented fake Ro Marine papers during the Gulf of Finland inspections without raising alarms.
• Despite the growing scandal, new vessels continue appearing on Ro Marine's website with freshly issued policies as recently as March 23, 2025.

THE SUSPICION

The scandal broke when a vigilant Ghanaian insurance professional followed his instincts about suspicious documentation.

The insurer said:-

• "Something wasn't right, and I couldn't put my finger on what it was.
• Maybe I was just following my instincts,"

THE EDD QUESTIONS

• On a Monday morning in September 2024, an alarming email lands in the inbox of the Norwegian Financial Supervisory Authority.
• The email is from an insurer from Ghana who has been asked to investigate a potential Norwegian partner for a customer.
• Before the customer signs his contract, he wants to ensure that the Norwegian company is legitimate, so the insurer attaches a document he received in the email to the Norwegian authority.

KEY REVELATIONS:

1. Andrey Mochalin (41) controls Ro Marine from St. Petersburg while presenting it as a legitimate Norwegian insurance provider
2. Norwegian police have charged four people—including Mochalin and a Bulgarian board member—with forgery and operating without a license
3. Police searched an Oslo address on March 21, 2025, and are investigating Mochalin for possible sanctions violations
4. At least 255 vessels received false insurance certificates, with 76 confirmed as part of Russia's shadow fleet
5. Oil tankers like the Achilles have sailed through Danish waters carrying up to 100,000 tons of oil with these worthless insurance papers
6. Seven countries, including Liberia (the world's second-largest flag state), Barbados, San Marino, and Togo, have blacklisted Ro Marine

DECEPTION TACTICS:

1. Forged Norwegian Financial Supervisory Authority documents with fake signatures
2. False claims of office space at the Norwegian Shipowners' Association building
3. Website operated from St. Petersburg with graphics created by a Russian design agency
4. Documents referenced non-existent Norwegian laws

Professor Kristina Siig of the University of Southern Denmark said

1. The implications are terrifying. It is "outrageous" and warns that it "completely undermines the system."
2. Without legitimate insurance, an oil disaster could devastate Baltic ecosystems with no financial recourse for cleanup.

One flag state official who had approved Ro Marine based on what turned out to be forged documentation said:-

• "Thank God nothing serious happened,"

Source

• https://danwatch.dk/en/forged-papers-and-a-fake-company-how-russian-businessman-cheats-danish-authorities/
• https://pressway.org.uk/news/298940-fake_incurance_and_the_shadow_fleet_new_russian_scheme_connections_in_europe
• https://mfame.guru/shadow-fleet-scandal-fake-insurance-papers-expose-maritime-fraud/