TASSOS

The tanker has been involved in the export of russian crude oil / petroleum products to third countries since February 2023. In February 2023, the vessel was sold by Frontline (New York, USA, majority owned by shipping billionaire John Fredricksen) to an unknown company, Bay Global Maritime Inc, registered in Liberia, which was registered as the owner and commercial manager of the vessel.
In June 2023, the Turkish company Pier Denizcilik Ve Ticaret Ltd, incorporated on May 26, 2023, became the ship's safety manager. Pier Denizcilik Ve Ticaret Ltd managed the safety of two oil tankers affiliated with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia for servicing and supporting offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian crude oil, petroleum products, and liquefied gas.
Since September 2024, the management of the tanker has been transferred to The Zulu Ships Management & Operation - Sole Proprietorship LLC (UAE), which was subject to USA sanctions on July 30, 2025. The Zulu Ships Management & Operation - Sole Proprietorship LLC is part of a network of companies controlled by Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, son of Ali Shamkhani, Chief Political Advisor to the Supreme Leader of Iran.
Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani uses corruption through his father's political influence at the highest levels of the Iranian regime to build and operate a vast fleet of tankers and container ships. This network transports oil and petroleum products from Iran and russia, as well as other cargoes, to buyers around the world, generating tens of billions of dollars in profits. The Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani network consists of a huge fleet of ships, ship management firms and front companies that launder billions of dollars in profits from global sales of Iranian and russian crude oil and petroleum products, mostly to buyers in China. The network takes significant steps to disguise its operations and obfuscate its ties to the Shamkhani family, Iran, and russia.
On July 30, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the tanker IMO 9408695.