CAPTAIN KOSTICHEV

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price-cap policy on russian oil, the tanker is involved in exporting russian oil from russian ports in the Baltic Sea and the Pacific region to China and India, and resorts to the practice of turning off the AIS signal and conducting so-called 'dark activities' at sea. The vessel is certified by the Indian regulator Indian Register of Shipping (IACS).
The vessel, through its related companies, including Stream Ship Management FZCO, Sun Ship Management, Oil Tankers SCF MGMT FZCO, SCF Management Services Cyprus, is affiliated with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, tthe largest state-owned shipping company in russia that services and supports offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian crude oil, oil products, and liquefied natural gas. The major charterers of PJSC Sovcomflot's vessels are russia's largest oil and gas companies and traders. PJSC Sovcomflot is involved in servicing major oil and gas projects in russia: Sakhalin-1, Sakhalin-2, Varandey, Prirazlomnoye, Novy Port, Yamal LNG and others. After the sanctions were imposed, PJSC Sovcomflot transferred dozens of vessels to the ownership of companies it had set up, including in foreign jurisdictions, and began the practice of constantly 'juggling' (transferring) vessels to related companies. According to expert estimates, the tankers 're-registered' by PJSC Sovcomflot to related companies are part of the so-called 'shadow tanker fleet' of the russian federation to continue selling russian crude oil, oil products, and liquefied natural gas under Western sanctions.
The shadow tanker fleet continues to provide multibillion-dollar revenues for the kremlin bypassing sanctions, disguising its activities under the flags of third countries, using complex schemes to conceal owners, and poses significant environmental threats with significant economic costs to coastal countries and/or the international community due to the outdated and inadequate insurance of shadow fleet tankers.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 24, 2025, as part of the restrictions on the russian shadow fleet, the EU imposed sanctions on the tanker for transporting crude oil/oil products originating in or exported from russia using irregular and high-risk shipping practices as specified in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly resolution A.1192 (33); promoting or supporting actions/policies aimed at the exploitation, development or expansion of the energy sector in russia, including energy infrastructure (sanctions will enter into force on February 25, 2025).