Marine vessels

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, the tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products, including the use of deceptive, high-risk practices, through STS transfers with russian affiliations. In July 2023, the tanker was involved in the export of diesel (almost 30 thousand tons) from the russian port of Tuapse, where the production complex belonging to the sanctioned PJSC Rosneft Oil Company, the Tuapse Oil Refinery with a sea terminal, is located. The sender of the cargo was the sanctioned russian Rosneft, and the recipient was GMS Trading Middle East DMCC (UAE), founded on February 16, 2022. In September 2024, after leaving the port of Tuapse, the tanker conducted STS transmissions with tanker IMO 9260067, which was sanctioned by USA in October 2024, and tanker IMO 9247443 in the area near Greece. Since July 2024, the tanker IMO 9247443, without proper insurance of the International P&I Club, has been operating in the area of Greece and Cyprus as a floating STS transshipment hub for russian wet cargo delivered to the area of Greece and Cyprus for transshipment mainly from the russian ports of Tuapse, Novorossiysk, as well as from the Taman crude oil/petroleum products transshipment complex, Primorsk, Ust-Luga. Such deliveries from russian ports for further transshipment via tanker IMO 9247443 in European waters are carried out by a number of tankers, including those affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management, one of the leading operators of the russian shadow fleet. In 2025, the tanker calls at russian ports, in particular, the Sheskharis terminal (Novorossiysk), which is a transshipment complex, the end point of the main pipelines of Chernomortransneft JSC (TIN: 2315072242, under USA sanctions), a subsidiary of the sanctioned russian Transneft PJSC (TIN: 7706061801). The tanker is affiliated with Exxen Ship Management Co, which as of April 25, 2025, is the technical manager of the sanctioned tanker IMO 9224465, which is classified by the International NGO Greenpeace as a shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment. At the same time, the tanker IMO 9224465 through the sanctioned companies Sun Ship Management, SCF Management Services Cyprus Ltd is 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, liquefied gas, the main charterers of Sovcomflot vessels are the largest oil and gas companies and traders in russia. 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 will 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. In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker, during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, has been involved in the established chain of supply of russian crude oil/petroleum products to third countries since 2024 by providing STS transfers in the area near European countries, near the Egyptian port of Said, in particular, with the sanctioned tanker IMO 9247443, which since July 2024 has been acting as a transshipment STS hub for russian crude oil/petroleum products transported by tankers mainly from the russian ports of Tuapse, Novorossiysk, Taman crude oil/petroleum products transshipment complex for transshipment near European countries. Prior to that, the tanker made direct calls to russian ports with oil terminals (Tuapse, Primorsk), after which it proceeded to the transshipment area in the Gulf of Laconikos. In February 2023, the tanker was involved in the export of gasoil (over 54 thousand tons) from the russian port of Tuapse, where the production complex belonging to the sanctioned Rosneft PJSC - Tuapse Oil Refinery with a sea terminal - is located. The shipper of the cargo was the sanctioned russian Rosneft, and the recipient was Bellatrix Energy Limited (Hong Kong), which was sanctioned by USA in December 2023 for significant participation in the trade of russian crude oil/petroleum products after the implementation of the price cap policy. On September 03, 16, 22, 10, 19 October, and November 09, 2024, in the area near Greece, the tanker made an STS transmission with the tanker IMO 9247443, which had previously made a number of STS transmissions in the Greek area, Cyprus with tankers (some of which are affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management, one of the leading operators of the shadow fleet involved in the transportation of russian crude oil/petroleum products in 2022-2023 under Western sanctions), which came for transshipment from russian ports. After a series of STS transmissions with tanker IMO 9247443, tanker IMO 9299123 called at the Egyptian port of El-Dekheila. On February 08, 2025, in the area south of Cyprus, the tanker made an STS transmission with tanker IMO 9374416, which left the russian port of Novorossiysk in January. After that, the tanker IMO 9299123 proceeded to the area near the port of Said (Egypt), where on February 11, 2025, it made an STS transfer with the tanker IMO 9247443. Then the tanker IMO 9299123 called at the Egyptian port, the tanker IMO 9247443 returned to the area near Cyprus to make further STS transfers of wet cargo with russian affiliation. The tanker IMO 9299123 is affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management, one of the leading operators of the shadow fleet involved in the transportation of russian crude oil/petroleum products under Western sanctions, and the company Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment, which is related to Gatik, which in 2023, together with Caishan Ship Management, Plutos Ship Management, Gaurik Ship Management, Geras Ship Management, Girik Ship Management, Galena Ship Management, Nautilus Shipping, Orion Ship Management, Zidan Ship Management, was involved in a scheme to "juggle" vessels managed by Gatik Ship Management to avoid sanctions. Gatik Ship Management and Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment were the previous managers of the vessel. Tankers operated/managed by India's Gatik Ship Management continue to be used by related companies and call at russian ports. As of April 11, 2025, the tanker's commercial manager is the Indian company Chenab Ship Management, the fleet of which also includes the sanctioned tanker IMO 9289752, which is considered part of the shadow fleet, affiliated with the Indian company Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment, associated with the shadow operator Gatik Ship Management, and involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products to third countries from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas. 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. In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, the tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas to third countries, as well as in STS transfers near European countries. In April 2024, in the Laconikos Gulf, the tanker, having left a russian port, made STS transmissions with tankers IMO 9352195 and IMO 9290517, affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management, one of the leading operators of the shadow fleet involved in the transportation of russian crude oil/petroleum products under Western sanctions. In August 2024, after leaving the russian port of Tuapse, the tanker made STS transfers with tanker IMO 9299123, affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management, IMO 9247443, which since July 2024 in the area near Greece, Cyprus, has been acting as a transshipment STS hub for russian crude oil/petroleum products transported by tankers mainly from the russian ports of Tuapse, Novorossiysk, Taman crude oil/petroleum products transshipment complex for transshipment near European countries. After these transfers, the vessel IMO 9318034 returned to the port of Tuapse. In December 2024, after leaving the port of Primorsk, and after conducting dark activities in the Gulf of Finland, it made an STS transfer in the area near Greece with the tanker IMO 9266475 (under UK, EU, Swiss sanctions), which is also involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas, in particular, using deceptive, high-risk practices. After this transfer, the tanker IMO 9318034 called at the russian port of Ust-Luga. The tanker IMO 9318034 is affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management and the Gatik-related company Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment, which in 2023, together with Caishan Ship Management, Plutos Ship Management, Gaurik Ship Management, Geras Ship Management, Girik Ship Management, Galena Ship Management, Nautilus Shipping, Orion Ship Management, Zidan Ship Management, was involved in a scheme to "juggle" vessels managed by Gatik Ship Management to avoid sanctions. Gatik Ship Management and Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment were the previous managers of the vessel. The tankers operated/managed by India's Gatik Ship Management continue to be used by related companies and call at russian ports. As of April 11, 2025, the commercial and technical manager of the tanker is the Indian company Charai Sea Shipping Pvt Ltd, the fleet of which also includes the sanctioned tanker IMO 9299123, which is considered part of the shadow fleet, affiliated with the shadow operator Gatik Ship Management, and involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products to third countries. On April 11, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the captain of vessel IMO 9318034. 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 will 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). In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker, during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo on russian crude oil/petroleum products, is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Black and Baltic Seas, including through STS transfers with russian affiliates. On December 26, 2024, in russian waters in the Black Sea, after leaving the russian port of Tuapse on December 26, 2024, the tanker made an STS transmission with tanker IMO 9340128. On January 15, 2025, after the departure from the russian port of Tuapse on January 09, 2025, the tanker IMO 9314882 made an STS transmission with the tanker IMO 9247443, which since July 2024 has been operating in the area near Greece, Cyprus as a transshipment STS hub for russian crude oil/petroleum products, which are transported by tankers mainly from the russian ports of Tuapse, Novorossiysk, Taman crude oil/petroleum products transshipment complex for further transshipment near European countries. On February 09, 2025, an STS transmission took place near Cyprus with the tanker IMO 9424651, which arrived in the Cyprus area from the russian port of Tuapse. On January 21, 2025, near Greece, and on February 11, 2025, near Cyprus, STS transmissions were made with tanker IMO 9422988, which was subject to USA sanctions in March 2025. The tanker is affiliated with the Indian company Orion Ship Management, which in 2023, together with Caishan Ship Management, Plutos Ship Management, Gaurik Ship Management, Geras Ship Management, Girik Ship Management, Galena Ship Management, Nautilus Shipping, Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment, Zidan Ship Management, was involved in a scheme of "juggling" vessels operated by Gatik Ship Management, one of the leading operators of the shadow fleet involved in the transportation of russian crude oil/petroleum products under Western sanctions. Tankers operated/managed by the Indian Gatik Ship Management and related companies, which have been re-registered to other companies, continue to call at russian ports and participate in STS transfers with russian affiliations. 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. In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker, during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, is involved in the supply chain of russian crude oil/petroleum products mainly from russian ports in the Black Sea to third countries, including through STS transfers with russian affiliations. Transshipment of crude oil/petroleum products of russian origin by STS method allows to conceal ownership and origin of the cargo, and legalize their supply to EU, USA and other countries. In turn, the sale of crude oil/petroleum products on the world market allows accumulating significant financial resources in the state budget of the russian federation, which are used, among other things, to build up the military potential of the aggressor-state and to provide material support for russia's military operations on the territory of Ukraine. The vessel has been engaged in dark activities near the russian port of Tuapse, Lebanon, Sudan and South Sudan, and Saudi Arabia. On January 28, 2025, in the area near Greece, the tanker IMO 9253234 carried out an STS transfer with the tanker IMO 9314894, which arrived for transshipment in the area near Greece from the russian port of Novorossiysk, in particular the Sheskaris terminal, which is a transshipment complex, the final point of the main pipelines of Chernomortransneft JSC (TIN: 2315072242, under USA sanctions), a subsidiary of the sanctioned russian Transneft PJSC (TIN: 7706061801). At the same time, the tanker IMO 9314894 is affiliated with the Indian companies Orion Ship Management, Geras Ship Management, which in 2023, together with Caishan Ship Management, Plutos Ship Management, Gaurik Ship Management, Girik Ship Management, Galena Ship Management, Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment, Zidan Ship Management, were involved in a scheme of "juggling" vessels operated by Gatik Ship Management, one of the leading operators of the shadow fleet involved in the transportation of russian crude oil/petroleum products under Western sanctions. On January 09, 2025, in the area near Greece, tanker IMO 9253234 carried out an STS transfer with tanker IMO 9247443, after which tanker IMO 9253234 called at the port of Said (Egypt). On February 05, 2025, in the area near Greece, tanker IMO 9253234 carried out an STS transfer with tanker IMO 9247443, after which on February 13, 2025, tanker IMO 9253234 called at the port of Benghazi (Libya). On February 21, 2025, after leaving the port of Benghazi (Libya), near Cyprus, tanker IMO 9253234 carried out an STS transfer with the same tanker IMO 9247443, after which tanker IMO 9253234 called at the port of Alexandria (Egypt). Since July 2024, tanker IMO 9247443 without proper insurance of the International P&I Club has been operating in the area of Greece, Cyprus as a floating STS transshipment hub of russian wet cargo delivered to the area of Greece, Cyprus for transshipment mainly from the russian ports of Tuapse, Novorossiysk, as well as from the Taman crude oil/petroleum products transshipment complex, Primorsk, Ust-Luga. Such deliveries from russian ports for further transshipment via tanker IMO 9247443 in European waters are carried out by a number of tankers, in particular, affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management. On March 07, 2025, in the area near Cyprus, tanker IMO 9253234 carried out an STS transfer with tanker IMO 9422988, which was sanctioned by USA on March 20, 2025 as part of the shadow fleet involved in the transportation of Iranian oil to Chinese (teapot) refineries. On March 08, 2025, near Cyprus, tanker IMO 9253234 carried out an STS transfer with tanker IMO 9299862, affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management, which arrived in the area near Cyprus from the russian Taman crude oil/petroleum products transshipment complex. Participation in other STS transfers with russian affiliation. The tanker IMO 9253234 is affiliated with the Indian company Plutos Ship Management, which in 2023, together with Caishan Ship Management, Orion Ship Management, Gaurik Ship Management, Geras Ship Management, Girik Ship Management, Galena Ship Management, Nautilus Shipping, Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment, Zidan Ship Management, was involved in a scheme of "juggling" vessels operated by Gatik Ship Management to avoid sanctions. 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 will 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. In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

Since December 2022, the tanker has been actively involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from the russian ports of Primorsk, Ust-Luga, Novorossiysk, using deceptive practices, including conducting shady activities near russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas. In January-February 2025, the tanker transported 100,000 metric tons of crude oil originating from the sanctioned russian oil company Lukoil from the port of Primorsk to Turkey. The transportation was carried out under the command of Master Alexander Kolesnikov. The tanker was included by USA sanctions authority in the list of vessels that pumped oil under the STS scheme intended for Syria in 2016-2019. 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 will 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. In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker has been involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas since February 2023 (almost immediately after the introduction of the G7 and EU oil embargo and price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products). During this period, from February 2023, the tanker was managed by the Indian company Gatik Ship Management, which in 2022-2023 was one of the top players in the shadow tanker fleet involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products in the face of Western sanctions. Until August 2024, technical management was carried out by companies related to Gatik Ship Management - Orion Ship Management, Caishan Ship Management, which, together with Gaurik Ship Management, Plutos Ship Management, Geras Ship Management, Girik Ship Management, Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment, Zidan Ship Management, were involved in a scheme to "juggle" vessels managed by Gatik Ship Management to avoid sanctions. Since the second half of 2024, the tanker has been actively involved in STS transfers in transshipment areas, in particular near Greece and Italy with tankers that came to transshipment areas from russian ports. In December 2024, an STS transfer took place near Greece with the tanker IMO 9397535, affiliated with the sanctioned russian PJSC Sovcomflot, and on January 10, 2025, USA sanctions were imposed on the IMO 9397535. Also, in December 2024, an STS transfer took place near Greece with the tanker IMO 9343986, which left the port of Tuapse on December 11, 2024. At the same time, the technical management of the tanker IMO 9343986 is carried out by Valegro LLC-FZ (IMO 0080182, UAE), which also manages the tanker IMO 9276561, which is considered part of the shadow fleet and was sanctioned by EU and Switzerland in 2025. In October 2024, an STS transfer took place near the port of Augusta (Italy) with the tanker IMO 9290517, affiliated with Gatik Ship Management, which arrived in the Augusta area from russian ports in the Baltic Sea (St. Petersburg, Ust-Luga). On August 14, 2024, an STS transfer took place near Greece with the tanker IMO 9278698, which left the russian port of Tuapse on August 08, 2024. On April 11, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of vessel IMO 9289776. On April 28, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel as part of the restrictions on ships delivering oil products to the Houthis, who are part of the Iranian regime's network of terrorist intermediaries and partners. 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. In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and price-cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, the tanker has been involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products since January 2024, in particular, using deceptive high-risk practices, including in the transshipment area near Greece. In April and December 2024, STS transfers took place near Greece with tankers IMO 9352195 and IMO 9299862, affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management, one of the leading shadow fleet operators that played a key role in the transportation of russian crude oil/petroleum products under Western sanctions, and in December 2024 with tanker IMO 9266475, which was subject to USA sanctions on February 24, 2025. In December 2023, Blossom Bridge Corp (IMO 6437580), registered in the Seychelles at Suite 10, 3rd Floor, La Ciotat, Mont Fleuri, Mahe Island Seychelles, which is widely used for registration of shipping companies with non-transparent ownership structure, became the owner and commercial manager of the tanker, and the Moldovan company Surt Ship Management SRL became the technical manager. This Moldovan company is one of the ten Moldovan companies that played a significant role in the maritime transportation of russian crude oil and petroleum products in 2024. In September 2024, the technical management was transferred to Seafaring Savants LLC (Azerbaijan), while the owner and commercial manager of the tanker did not change, which may indicate that the beneficiary of the vessel has not changed. After the change of management, the tanker continues to make calls to russian ports with oil terminals. 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. In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

Since June 2023, the tanker has been involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products, in particular, using deceptive, high-risk practices (disabling AIS and conducting dark activities, in particular, in the Kerch Strait area, STS transfers of wet cargo). The vessel calls at the ports of the TOT of Ukraine, in particular, it called at the port of Feodosia in January 2025. The tanker is affiliated with the Moldovan company FLC Shipmanagement SRL, which was the technical manager of the vessel from June 2023 to August 2024. Since August 2024, technical management has been transferred to Voyage Guard Shipmanagement LLC (Azerbaijan). As of April 07, 2025, the fleet of Voyage Guard Shipmanagement LLC consists of three oil tankers. In addition to IMO 9278064, the company's fleet includes tankers IMO 9183295 (management was transferred from the Moldovan company FLC Shipmanagement SRL), IMO 9265885 (management was transferred from the Moldovan company MRK Shipmanagement SRL). The owner/commercial manager of the tanker remains New Dawn Marine Corp, registered in the Seychelles, at an address that is widely used for registration of shipowners/managers of vessels involved in the sanctioned trade in russian crude oil/petroleum products. After the change of management, the tanker continues to call at Russian ports with oil terminals. 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. In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

Since March 2023, after the introduction of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, the tanker has been actively involved in the export of russian oil/oil products from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas, including using deceptive, high-risk practices. The vessel resorts to conducting shadow activities, STS transmissions, in particular, in the area of the Kerch Strait, Russian ports in the Black Sea. In March 2025, an STS transfer took place in the Kerch Strait area with the tanker IMO 9224441, affiliated with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, russia's largest state-owned shipping company for servicing and supporting offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian crude oil, petroleum products, and liquefied 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. In January 2025, an STS transfer with tanker IMO 9252448 took place near the port of Malacca (Malaysia), and tanker IMO 9265885 arrived in the Malacca port area from the russian port of Novorossiysk. On December 31, 2024, an STS transfer took place near the russian port of Gelendzhik with the sanctioned tanker IMO 9299666, affiliated with the Indian company Caishan Ship Management, which is associated 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. The tanker makes calls at the ports of the TOT of Ukraine, in particular, the port of Kamysh-Burun (TOT Crimea of Ukraine). The tanker is affiliated with the Moldovan company MRK Shipmanagement SRL, which became the technical manager of the vessel in March 2023, while in February 2023 Prime Choice Navigation Ltd (IMO 6386805) became the owner and commercial manager of the tanker, registered in the Seychelles at Suite 10, 3rd Floor, La Ciotat, Mont Fleuri, Mahe Island Seychelles, which is widely used for registration of shipping companies involved in the transportation of russian crude oil/petroleum products. Since August 2024, the technical management has been transferred to Voyage Guard Shipmanagement (Azerbaijan), while the owner/commercial manager has not changed. After the change of management, the tanker continues to call at russian ports with oil terminals. 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. In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, the tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports, including through STS transfers with vessels with russian affiliation, in particular in the Kerch Strait area, using deceptive, high-risk practices (conducting dark activities in the Kerch Strait area, russian ports in the Black Sea). The vessel calls at the ports of the TOT of Crimea of Ukraine (Kamysh-Burun, Kerch), in particular in December 2024, March 2025. In March 2025, December 2024, multiple STS transfers took place in the area of Temryuk Bay in the Sea of Azov, the Kerch Strait with the tanker IMO 9224441, 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. The main 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. According to the United Against Nuclear Iran, the tanker was involved in the transportation of Iranian oil and after the beginning of russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine switched to the transportation of russian crude oil/petroleum products. 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. In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, the tanker has been involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products since December 2022 from russian ports, calls at the russian ports of Primorsk, Novorossiysk, St. Petersburg, Tuapse, and actively engages in shadow activities, in particular near russian ports in the Black Sea, near the southern coast of the TOT of Crimea, in the Kerch Strait area in the Sea of Azov. The tanker was involved in multiple STS transmissions in the area of Greece and Cyprus with the tanker IMO 924744 without proper Western insurance, in particular in March 2025 (the tanker arrived in the area of Cyprus from the area of the russian port of Tuapse, where it had been conducting dark activities for a long time), in January 2025 (the tanker IMO 9208124 arrived in the area of Greece from the area near the russian port of Tuapse, where it had been conducting dark activities for a long time), etc. In March 2025, an STS transfer took place near the port of Said (Egypt) with the tanker IMO 9105114, which until September 2022 operated under the russian flag, owned and operated by the russian company Rusprimeexport LLC. Currently, the vessel IMO 9105114 is sailing under the flag of Cameroon, owned and operated by Fineas Marine Inc, registered in the Marshall Islands at an address that is widely used to register companies affiliated with the shadow fleet and involved in the sanctioned wet cargo trade. At the same time, the tanker IMO 9105114 has been systematically and actively engaged in long-lasting dark activities, in particular in the area of Libya, and was tracked by the International NGO Greenpeace in the port of Benghazi (Libya) when the ship's AIS signal was not tracked. Recently, there has been an increase in the flow of commodities to Libya, including those of russian origin, which are transported, among other things, via STS transmissions, probably for further redirection to other destinations. The tanker is affiliated with Peninsula Energy FZE (UAE), incorporated in January 2015, which manages the tanker. According to available information, the activities of Peninsula Energy FZE are actually managed from St. Petersburg (Russia), including the recruitment of personnel. Peninsula Energy FZE also cooperates with the sanctioned company PJSC Gazprom Neft in terms of purchasing oil products. On May 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions, which will 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. In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.