SAATHI

In August-September 2024, the tanker carried out STS transfers of russian crude oil/petroleum products from tanker IMO 9337901, which departed from the russian port of Tuapse. The tanker IMO 9337901 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/petroleum products in 2022-2023 under Western sanctions. In November 2024, an STS transfer was carried out from the sanctioned tanker IMO 9281891, involved in the transportation of sanctioned Iranian and russian oil, which departed from the port of Taman. STS transfers of russian oil were also carried out from sanctioned tankers IMO 9315446 and IMO 9271951. At the same time, there are frequent STS transfers of russian oil from tanker IMO 9294123. In particular, such transfers in the Laconikos Gulf area took place on January 10, 2025, and in early February 2025. The tanker IMO 9294123 sailed to the Laconikos Gulf from the russian port of Novorossiysk. The tanker IMO 9294123 is affiliated with Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagement, which, together with other companies (Galena Ship Management, Gaurik Ship Management, Caishan Ship Management, Plutos Ship Management, Geras Ship Management, Girik Ship Management, Orion Ship Management, Nautilus Shipping, Zidan Ship Management), was involved in a scheme to "juggle" scheme involving vessels from the Indian company Gatik. In December 2024, the tanker IMO 9402732 also carried out bunkering with the oil tanker IMO 9248801, affiliated with Gatik, in the Laconikos Gulf area.
The tanker IMO 9402732 is also affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management and Gaurik Ship Management, which is associated with Gatik.
Gatik Ship Management and Galena Ship Management were the previous managers of the tanker.
Tankers operated/managed by India's Gatik Ship Management continue to be used by affiliated companies and call at russian ports.
Since the imposition of sanctions on the russian petroleum sector, the tanker IMO 9402732 has changed commercial managers twice, ISM managers three times, vessel names twice, and flag countries three times.
The russian shadow fleet continues to generate billions in revenue for the kremlin in circumvention of sanctions, masking its activities under "convenient" flags, using complex ownership and management schemes to conceal the true owners, resorting to deceptive, high-risk practices, and posing significant threats to environmental safety with significant economic costs for coastal countries due to the obsolescence and improper maintenance of vessels.
On May 09, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker as part of the restrictions on the shadow fleet of the russian federation, including for engaging in activities aimed at destabilizing Ukraine, undermining/threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine or benefiting from or supporting the government of russia, and participating in the transportation of crude oil/petroleum products of russian origin, in particular, from russia to a third country.
On May 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions, which enter into force on May 21, 2025, on the tanker for the transportation of crude oil/petroleum products originating in or exported from russia, using irregular high-risk shipping practices as specified in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly Resolution A.1192(33).
On June 03, 2025, the sanctions imposed by Switzerland on the vessel came into force.