Lebanon’s sanctioned oil scandal exposes links to global shadow fleet and leads to new inquiries
Dozens of shipping and legal documents have tied one of Lebanon's biggest fuel scandals to a prominent Russian-linked shadow maritime network now under western sanctions. Companies subject to G7 or EU rules generally cannot provide shipping, insurance and financial services for seaborne Russian oil sold to third countries above the applicable price cap. Since 2023, the price cap has been set at…
Allegations have emerged that Lebanon's fuel supply scandal is linked to a Russian-linked shadow maritime network, now subject to Western sanctions. According to newly obtained documents, companies involved in Lebanon's fuel trade between 2023 and 2025 were connected to the 2Rivers Group, which has been under UK sanctions since 2024.
The alleged scheme involved falsifying certificates of origin to pass off sanctioned Russian fuel as from Egypt or Turkey, allowing it to be sold at market prices and generate significant profits. This arrangement allegedly cost Lebanon tens of millions of dollars. The controversy has prompted investigations by Lebanese authorities, with three legal cases now underway, bringing the total to at least three.
Lebanese Energy Minister Joseph Saddi stated that his ministry immediately amended tender specifications upon learning of the irregularities, referring previous suspected violations to the judiciary. The scandal began in 2021 when Iraq supplied heavy fuel oil to Lebanon under preferential terms, which was then swapped on the international market through state tenders.
The 2Rivers Group, which has been accused of using shell and front companies for its operations, has denied any wrongdoing.
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