Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Indian Captain’s Russian Oil Sanctions Case Raises Seafarer Questions
Ajay Pant is an Indian ship captain being held in Britain.
British forces stopped his oil tanker, the Smyrtos, in the English Channel in June.
Prosecutors say the ship carried Russian oil that may have broken sanctions.
They also say Pant knew about the cargo because he was the ship’s captain.
Pant says he did nothing wrong.
His lawyer says he was following instructions from the ship’s owner.
His wife says he was made a scapegoat.
He is the only one of the 25 crew members charged.
His trial may help show whether sailors can be held responsible when their ships are accused of breaking sanctions.
Ajay Pant, a 38-year-old Indian captain, has been held in Britain since June after the tanker Smyrtos was intercepted in the English Channel.
UK prosecutors allege Pant knew the ship was carrying about 98,000 tonnes of prohibited Russian oil or oil products bound for a third country.
Pant denies wrongdoing, while his lawyer says he was following orders as an employee of the vessel’s owner.
Pant’s wife, Ritu Pant, says he was made a scapegoat and was “at the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Pant is the only crew member charged; his trial is scheduled for December 15 and could affect how sanctions laws apply to seafarers.
- Who
- Ajay Pant, a 38-year-old Indian merchant navy captain, is charged in Britain; his wife Ritu Pant has defended him.
- What
- Pant faces sanctions-related charges over the tanker Smyrtos and its alleged transport or delivery of prohibited Russian oil or oil products to a third country.
- When
- The Smyrtos left Ust-Luga on June 5 and was intercepted on June 14; Pant’s trial is scheduled for December 15.
- Where
- British forces intercepted the tanker in the English Channel, and Pant is being held in Britain.
- Why
- Prosecutors allege Pant knew about the cargo and was responsible as the ship’s master; his defense says he was following the vessel owner’s orders.
UK Prosecution and Sanctions Authorities
Defense, Family and Seafarer Representatives
Pant’s knowledge of the cargo
UK Prosecution and Sanctions Authorities
Prosecutors allege Pant was the master of the ship and knew it was carrying approximately 98,000 tonnes of prohibited Russian oil or oil products.
Defense, Family and Seafarer Representatives
Pant denies wrongdoing, and his lawyer says he was simply following orders as an employee of the vessel’s owner.
The captain’s responsibility
UK Prosecution and Sanctions Authorities
The prosecution argues that Pant’s role as master made him responsible for the vessel’s movement and that he had knowledge of its cargo.
Defense, Family and Seafarer Representatives
Pant’s wife says a captain’s responsibility is to deliver cargo safely, while seafarer representatives warn that sailors may not know whether a vessel carries sanctioned oil.
Implications for seafarers
UK Prosecution and Sanctions Authorities
The case forms part of increased European action against vessels suspected of helping Russia evade oil sanctions.
Defense, Family and Seafarer Representatives
Legal and seafarer representatives say the case raises complex questions and could leave sailors caught between powerful countries over decisions they may not control.
- Defendant
- Ajay Pant, a 38-year-old Indian captain
- Vessel
- Oil tanker Smyrtos
- Alleged cargo
- Approximately 98,000 tonnes of oil
- Maximum sentence
- Up to 10 years in prison
- Crew status
- Pant was the only one of the 25 crew members charged; most of the other 24 have returned home
- Reported route
- The Smyrtos left Russia’s Ust-Luga and was heading toward Egypt’s Port Said
- Consular support
- Indian consular officials visited Pant and checked on his wellbeing
- Vessel status
- The Smyrtos remains anchored off England’s southern coast
Sources
Ajay Pant's Wife Says Jailed Captain Was Made a Scapegoat
Indian merchant navy captain arrested in UK over Russian oil tanker; wife calls him 'scapegoat'
Indian captain faces 10 years in UK jail over Russian oil: Why wife calls him a ‘scapegoat’