Marine vessels

The tanker during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports, including the use of deceptive, high-risk practices (disabling AIS, conducting dark activities, making STS transmissions with russian affiliations). The tanker is involved in an established chain of supply of russian crude oil/petroleum products to third countries by conducting STS transmissions in the area near European countries, in particular, with the sanctioned tanker IMO 9247443, which has been in the area near Greece since July 2024, Cyprus, has been acting 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 transshipment near European countries. The tanker makes calls at the ports of the TOT Crimea of Ukraine, in particular, in February 2025, it called at the port of Komysh-Burun. The tanker is affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management, which in 2022-2023 was among the top players in the shadow tanker fleet involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products under Western sanctions, and Plutos Ship Management, an Indian company associated with Gatik Ship Management, which in 2023, together with Caishan Ship Management, Galena Ship Management, Gaurik Ship Management, Geras Ship Management, Girik Ship Management, Orion Ship Management, Zidan Ship Management, and other companies, was involved in a scheme to "juggle" vessels operated by Gatik Ship Management to avoid sanctions. Tankers operated by Gatik Ship Management and transferred to other companies continue to export 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. 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.

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 the russian port of Novorossiysk in the Black Sea, and since December 2023 from the port of Nakhodka to China. In April 2023, the tanker was involved in the export of a batch of russian petroleum products (almost 30 thousand tons) from the russian port of Tuapse, where the production complex owned by the sanctioned Rosneft PJSC - Tuapse Oil Refinery with a sea terminal - is located. The sender of the cargo was the sanctioned oil company Rosneft, and the recipient was Guron Trading Limited (Hong Kong), which was sanctioned by USA in January 2025 for significant participation in the trade in russian crude oil/petroleum products after the implementation of the price cap policy. Guron Trading Limited was the consignee of more than 400 shipments of crude oil from russia between may 2023 and April 2024. The tanker is affiliated with the Indian company Plutos Ship Management, which, together with Gaurik Ship Management, Geras Ship Management, Girik Ship Management, Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment, Zidan Ship Management, Orion Ship Management, Caishan Ship Management, was involved in a ship juggling scheme, operated by 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. Crew selection for the tanker is controlled from russia. On April 11, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of the vessel IMO 9289738. 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.

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.

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. According to the database of the Global Integrated Shipping Information System of the International Maritime Organization (IMO's GISIS), as of July 30, 2025, the vessel's registered name is OLIVE, flag is unknown. At the same time, the vessel sails under the name SARD, the flag of Malawi.

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.

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 Komysh-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 (Komysh-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.

The tanker during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and price-cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products has been involved in exporting russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Baltic Sea since October 2023, and has been engaged in deceptive, high-risk practices, including dark activities in the Kerch Strait area. In October 2024, the tanker carried out STS transmissions in the Kerch Strait with IMO tankers 9212008 (under USA sanctions), IMO 9211999 (under USA sanctions), and IMO tanker 9476771, affiliated with a russian company. In 2024, the tanker, under the command of captains Alexander Grigoriev, Ivan Shashin, and Alexander Peregrov, transported crude oil and petroleum products from the russian ports of Ust-Luga and Primorsk to India, Turkey, and China. The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of the shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment. According to Unired Against Nuclear Iran, the tanker was involved in the export of Iranian oil and was involved in the transportation of sanctioned russian crude oil/oil products. The tanker is affiliated with the Moldovan company KSN Shipmanagement SRL, which is one of ten Moldovan companies that played a significant role in the maritime transportation of russian oil and transferred the management of the tankers in the fleet to a number of companies from Azerbaijan, while some vessels were transferred to the management of companies from the UAE. 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.

The tanker has been involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products since March 2023 during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and price cap policy on russian oil/petroleum products, and has been actively engaged in dark activities in the Baltic and Black Seas near russian ports with oil terminals. The vessel is involved in high-risk practices, such as STS transmissions near European countries. In particular, in 2024, near Greece, the vessel carried out STS transfers with the tanker IMO 9209972, which was subject to USA sanctions in February 2025, and with the sanctioned tanker IMO 9247443, which operates near Greece and Cyprus as a floating STS hub for transshipment of wet cargo, including that of russian origin. There is also an STS transmission in the area of Port Said (Egypt) with the tanker IMO 9258026, which was subject to USA sanctions in February 2025. In June 2025, in the area near Cyprus, tanker IMO 9290921 carried out an STS transfer with tanker of the russia's shadow fleet IMO 9352195, which was sanctioned by the United Kingdom in May 2025 as part of the restrictions imposed on the russian shadow fleet. In October 2024, the ISM management of the tanker was transferred to Tidal Tech Mariners LLC (Azerbaijan) from the Moldovan company MRK Shipmanagement SRL. The Moldovan company MRK Shipmanagement SRL, along with a number of other Moldovan companies, is involved in the creation of a part of the shadow fleet involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products. The shadow tankers managed by Moldovan companies (Adel Ship Management SRL, BPC Shipmanagement SRL, MRK Shipmanagement SRL, KSN Shipmanagement SRL, OST Shipmanagement SRL, Surt Ship Management SRL, SAL Shipmanagement SRL, FLC Shipmanagement SRL) are transferred to the management of Azerbaijani companies, in particular Dream Island Shipping LLC, Ocean Voyage LLC, Tidal Tech Mariners LLC, Seafaring Savants LLC, VVave Minder Shipmanagement, Triton Technical Services LLC, Navigenix Shipmanagement LLC, Nautilus Fleet Management LLC, Harbor Harmony Shipmanagement, and others. 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.