CYCLONE

During the period of the oil embargo and the G7+ countries’ price cap policy on russian crude oil and petroleum products, the tanker was involved in the export of russian petroleum products from the ports of Ust-Luga and Primorsk to Turkey and India.
The tanker is affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management, one of the leading operators of the so-called 'shadow' fleet involved in the transportation of russian crude oil under Western sanctions, and the company Caishan Ship Management, which is affiliated with Gatik, which in 2023, together with Gaurik Ship Management LLP, Galena Ship Management, Plutos Ship Management, Geras Ship Management, Girik Ship Management, Orion Ship Management LLP, Nautilus Shipping (India), Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment LLC, Zidan Ship Management, was involved in a scheme to 'juggle' vessels operated by Gatik Ship Management to avoid sanctions.
Gatik Ship Management and Caishan Ship Management were the previous managers of the tanker.
Tankers operated/managed by India's Gatik Ship Management continue to be used by related companies and call at russian ports.
On November 25, 2024, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker as part of restrictions targeting the russian shadow fleet.
On February 21, 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On April 11, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of the vessel IMO 9314167.
Since May 21, 2025, the EU has imposed sanctions on the tanker for transporting crude oil or petroleum products originating in or exported from russia, using irregular and high-risk shipping practices, as specified in International Maritime Organization General Assembly Resolution A.1192(33).
Since 3 June 2025, Switzerland has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since 13 December 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 24, 2026, Australia imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Additionally, during the fuel crisis in the russian federation, the tanker is involved in the supply chain delivering gasoline from the Vadinar Refinery of Nayara Energy—in which the russian sanctioned company PJSC Oil Company "Rosneft" holds a 49.13% stake—to the aggressor state. Specifically, in early July 2026, the tanker IMO 9314167, via a ship-to-ship transfer in the Damietta area (Egypt), transferred to the tanker IMO 9577094 (sanctions imposed by the EU, Switzerland, the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Ukraine) more than 57,000 metric tons of gasoline, which on August 3, 2026, delivered the gasoline cargo to the Vitino terminal (Port of Kandalaksha). The tanker IMO 9314167, in turn, was loaded with gasoline from the Vadinar Refinery on June 20, 2026.
Following the uncovering of shady fuel import schemes from India, the tanker IMO 9314167 not only changed its name to CYCLONE and its flag to the russian federation, but also continues to deliver gasoline from Nayara Energy’s Vadinar Refinery to a transshipment area near Egypt. According to available information, in early September 2026, a second ship-to-ship transfer of cargo from the Vadinar refinery will take place in the area near Egypt between the tankers CYCLONE (formerly AGNI, IMO 9314167) and GARNET (IMO 9577094).