The tanker has been implicated in the export of russian crude oil / petroleum products from russian ports to third countries during the G7 and European Union oil embargo and price cap policy on russian crude oil / petroleum products/ The vessel has engaged in deceptive, high-risk practices (disabling the AIS signal, conducting dark activities at sea).
In 2024, the tanker transported russian oil from the port of Primorsk to India. The transportation was carried out under the command of Captain Konstantin Kovalenko.
The tanker is affiliated with Prominent Shipmanagement LTD, a company established in Hong Kong in 2022, which was sanctioned by the US on January 10, 2025, for its activities in the energy sector of the russian federation. All tankers operated by the Dubai-based company K&O Shipmanagement FZE, affiliated with the sanctioned russian PJSC Sovcomflot, were transferred to the management of Prominent Shipmanagement LTD. The vessels were included in the Indian Register of Shipping (the classification society with the largest market share of the so-called shadow fleet).
Sovcomflot PJSC is russia's largest state-owned shipping company providing services and support for offshore hydrocarbon production and the transportation of russian oil, petroleum products, and liquefied gas. The main charterers of Sovcomflot PJSC vessels are russia's largest oil and gas companies and traders. PJSC Sovcomflot participates in the servicing of major oil and gas projects in russia: Sakhalin-1, Sakhalin-2, Varandey, Prirazlomnoye, Novy Port, Yamal LNG, and others.
The shadow tanker fleet continues to generate multibillion-dollar revenues for the kremlin by circumventing sanctions by disguising its activities under third-country flags, using complex schemes to conceal owners, and poses significant environmental safety hazards with significant economic costs to coastal countries and/or the international community due to the outdated and inadequately insured shadow fleet tankers.
The vessel calls at ports in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, in particular the ports of Sevastopol and Kamysh-Burun, in November 2025.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 24, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since February 25 and March 4, 2025, respectively, the EU and Switzerland have imposed sanctions on tankers for transporting crude oil/petroleum products originating in or exported from russia, using irregular shipping practices with a high degree of risk, as specified in Resolution A.1192 (33) of the General Assembly of the International Maritime Organization.
In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In June 2025, Australia imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In August 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the tanker's master.
Since October 30, 2025, New Zealand has imposed sanctions on the tanker.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price-cap policy on russian oil, the tanker is involved in the export of oil to third countries from russian ports in the Baltic, Black seas and the Pacific region, and resorts to the practice of turning off the AIS signal, conducting so-called 'dark activities' at sea. The tanker is certified by the Indian Register of Shipping (IACS).
The tanker is managed by Prominent Shipmanagement LTD, established in 2022 in Hong Kong. Prominent is headed by Arjun Deshmukh, who worked for FESCO Wallem Shipmanagement, a joint venture between a russian company and Hong Kong's oldest ship manager. Prominent Shipmanagement LTD took over all the tankers operated by Dubai-based K&O Shipmanagement FZE, an affiliate of the sanctioned russian company Sovcomflot, and the vessels were included in the Indian Register of Shipping (the classification society with the largest market share of the so-called shadow fleet).
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since May 21 and June 3, 2025, the EU and Switzerland, respectively, have imposed sanctions on the vessel for transporting crude oil/petroleum products originating in or exported from rRussia, using irregular shipping practices with a high degree of risk, as specified in Resolution A.1192(33) of the General Assembly of the International Maritime Organization.
On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In August 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the tanker's master.
In November 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price-cap policy on russian oil, the tanker is involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports in the Baltic, Black seas, and the Pacific region, mainly to China and India.
The tanker is managed by Prominent Shipmanagement LTD, established in 2022 in Hong Kong. Prominent is headed by Arjun Deshmukh, who worked for FESCO Wallem Shipmanagement, a joint venture between a russian company and Hong Kong's oldest ship manager. Prominent Shipmanagement LTD took over all tankers operated by K&O Shipmanagement FZE, a Dubai-based company.
The tanker is also affiliated with K&O SHIPMANAGEMENT FZE, the fleet manager of which, master Yevgeny Chubenko, is also the fleet manager at russia's Sovcomflot PJSC.
Since December 17 and 23, 2024, the EU and Switzerland have imposed sanctions on the vessel due to the transportation of crude oil or petroleum products originating in or exported from russia, using irregular high-risk shipping practices as set out in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly Resolution A.1192(33).
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel. The tanker was calling at a russian port, where oil is constantly trading at a price well above $60.
In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and price-cap policy on russian oil, the tanker is involved in exporting russian oil to third countries (mainly India) from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas, conducting dark activities at sea with the AIS signal turned off off the coast of Malaysia (in 2021), in the Baltic and Black Seas near russian ports (in 2024).
The tanker is managed by Prominent Shipmanagement LTD, established in 2022 in Hong Kong. Prominent is headed by Arjun Deshmukh, who worked for FESCO Wallem Shipmanagement, a joint venture between a russian company and Hong Kong's oldest ship manager. Prominent Shipmanagement LTD took over all tankers operated by K&O Shipmanagement FZE, a Dubai-based company affiliated with the sanctioned russian company Sovcomflot, and the vessels were included in the Indian Register of Shipping (the classification society with the largest market share of the so-called shadow fleet).
PJSC Sovcomflot is the largest state-owned shipping company in russia for servicing and supporting offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian oil, oil products, and liquefied gas. The main charterers of Sovcomflot vessels are the largest oil and gas companies and traders in russia.
The vessel is also involved in the transportation of Iranian crude oil and petroleum products.
Many tankers involved in transporting Iranian oil to countries such as China are also involved in Venezuelan trade, including tanker IMO 9436006. On June 11, 2022, Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi signed a 20-year cooperation agreement to expand ties in the oil and petrochemical industries, as well as in the military and economic spheres. Since then, bilateral ties have begun to develop. Most cargo is transported by ships belonging to the sanctioned National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) in both directions. A significant number of ships flying under foreign (non-Iranian) flags are also involved in this trade.
The tanker calls at ports in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, including the port of Kamysh-Burun in August 2025.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On April 11, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of vessel IMO 9436006.
Since May 21 and June 3, 2025, the EU and Switzerland, respectively, have imposed sanctions on the vessel for transporting crude oil/petroleum products originating in or exported from rRussia, using irregular shipping practices with a high degree of risk, as specified in Resolution A.1192(33) of the General Assembly of the International Maritime Organization.
In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas, mainly to India.
The tanker is affiliated with Prominent Shipmanagement Limited (Hong Kong), which is an operator of the shadow fleet involved in the transportation of sanctioned russian and Iranian oil and which was sanctioned by USA on January 10, 2025 in relation to the management of the tanker fleet, the shadow fleet involved in the transportation of sanctioned russian oil, including the Fjord Seal, which called at a russian port where the price of oil was constantly exceeding the upper ceiling of $60 per barrel, and the Samsun, which was involved in the transportation of Iranian oil.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.
From May 21, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions 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 18 July 2025, the EU amended the sanctions.
On June 03, 2025, the sanctions imposed by Switzerland on the vessel came into force.
On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In August 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the tanker's master.
In November 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas, mainly to India, Turkey, and other third countries, and uses the practice of disabling AIS in the Black Sea near Kherson region, TOT Crimea of Ukraine.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.
From July 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions on a tanker for transporting crude oil/petroleum products that originate in russia or are exported from russia using irregular and high-risk shipping practices as set out in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly resolution A.1192 (33).
According to the database of the Global Integrated Shipping Information System of the International Maritime Organization (IMO's GISIS), as of July 21, 2025, the vessel's registered name is VIRAT, flag of Barbados. At the same time, the vessel sails under the flag of the Comoros.
On August 12, 2025, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In August 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the tanker's master.
Since September 12, 2025, the United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In November 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price-cap policy on russian oil, the tanker is involved in the export of oil to third countries from russian ports in Baltic sea, and resorts to the practice of turning off the AIS signal, conducting so-called 'dark activities' at sea.
Tanker management until December 2024 was carried out by the sanctioned company Prominent Shipmanagement LTD, founded in 2022 in Hong Kong. Prominent is headed by Arjun Deshmukh, who worked for FESCO Wallem Shipmanagement, a joint venture between a russian company and Hong Kong's oldest ship manager. All tankers operated by Dubai-based K&O Shipmanagement FZE were transferred to Prominent Shipmanagement LTD. The tanker is also affiliated with K&O SHIPMANAGEMENT FZE, the fleet manager of which, master Yevgeny Chubenko, is also the fleet manager at russia's Sovcomflot PJSC.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on a vessel considered to be part of the shadow fleet.
Since February 25, March 04, 2025 EU and Switzerland respectively have 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).
On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In August 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the tanker's master.
In November 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

During the period of the G7+ oil embargo on russian crude oil/oil products, the tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil and oil products, in particular from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas, including the use of deceptive high-risk practices.
The tanker, believed to be part of the shadow fleet, is affiliated with Prominent Shipmanagement Limited, which was sanctioned by USA on January 10, 2025 for its activities in the energy sector of the russian economy.
The tanker is also affiliated with K&O SHIPMANAGEMENT FZE, the fleet manager of which, master Yevgeny Chubenko, is also the fleet manager at russia's Sovcomflot PJSC.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel as a property in which Prominent Shipmanagement Limited has an interest.
On April 11, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of the tanker.
Since May 21 and June 3, 2025, the EU and Switzerland, respectively, have imposed sanctions on the vessel for transporting crude oil/petroleum products originating in or exported from rRussia, using irregular shipping practices with a high degree of risk, as specified in Resolution A.1192(33) of the General Assembly of the International Maritime Organization.
On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In November 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas, mainly to China and India, and in dark activities with AIS disabled.
The tanker is affiliated with Prominent Shipmanagement Limited (Hong Kong), which is an operator of the shadow fleet involved in the transportation of sanctioned russian and Iranian oil and which was sanctioned by USA on January 10, 2025 in relation to the management of the tanker fleet, the shadow fleet involved in the transportation of sanctioned russian oil, including the Fjord Seal, which called at a russian port where the price of oil was constantly exceeding the upper ceiling of $60 per barrel, and the Samsun, which was involved in the transportation of Iranian oil.
The tanker is also affiliated with K&O SHIPMANAGEMENT FZE, the fleet manager of which, master Yevgeny Chubenko, is also the fleet manager at russia's Sovcomflot PJSC.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on a vessel considered to be part of the shadow fleet.
In August 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the tanker's master.
Since September 12, 2025, the United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since October 24, 2025, the EU has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In November 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Switzerland has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 20, 2026, New Zealand imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports in the Baltic Sea and the Pacific Ocean region, mainly to China and India.
The tanker is affiliated with Prominent Shipmanagement Limited (Hong Kong), which is the operator of the shadow fleet involved in the transportation of sanctioned russian and Iranian oil and which was sanctioned by USA on January 10, 2025 in connection with the management of the tanker fleet, the shadow fleet involved in the transportation of sanctioned russian oil, including the Fjord Seal, which called at a russian port where the price of oil was constantly exceeding the upper ceiling of $60 per barrel, and the Samsun, which was involved in the transportation of Iranian oil.
The tanker is also affiliated with K&O SHIPMANAGEMENT FZE, the fleet manager of which, master Yevgeny Chubenko, is also the fleet manager at russia's Sovcomflot PJSC.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.
After the sanctions were imposed, the vessel changed its name, flag country and management.
Since May 21 and June 3, 2025, the EU and Switzerland, respectively, have imposed sanctions on the vessel for transporting crude oil/petroleum products originating in or exported from rRussia, using irregular shipping practices with a high degree of risk, as specified in Resolution A.1192(33) of the General Assembly of the International Maritime Organization.
On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In August 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the tanker's master.
In November 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker during the period of the G7+ oil embargo, price cap policy on russian crude oil/oil products from russian ports in the Black Sea, from the reloading complex based on FSO Umba in the Kola Bay, including the use of deceptive practices.
The tanker, believed to be part of the shadow fleet, is affiliated with Prominent Shipmanagement Limited, which was sanctioned by USA on January 10, 2025 for its activities in the energy sector of the russian economy.
The tanker is also affiliated with K&O SHIPMANAGEMENT FZE, the fleet manager of which, master Yevgeny Chubenko, is also the fleet manager at russia's Sovcomflot PJSC.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel as a property in which Prominent Shipmanagement Limited has an interest.
Since May 21 and June 3, 2025, the EU and Switzerland, respectively, have imposed sanctions on the vessel for transporting crude oil/petroleum products originating in or exported from rRussia, using irregular shipping practices with a high degree of risk, as specified in Resolution A.1192(33) of the General Assembly of the International Maritime Organization.
On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In August 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the tanker's master.
In November 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In September 2025, the tanker transported over 130,000 tons of russian-origin crude oil from the Sheshkharis terminal in the port of Novorossiysk to Syria.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The vessel is affiliated with Prominent Shipmanagement Limited, which was the former manager of the vessel.
On January 10, May 20, and June 3, 2025, the US, EU, and Switzerland imposed sanctions on Prominent Shipmanagement Limited for its activities in the energy sector of the russian economy.
On July 8, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on Prominent Shipmanagement Limited.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel as a property in which Prominent Shipmanagement Limited has an interest.

The vessel is affiliated with Prominent Shipmanagement Limited, which was the former manager of the vessel.
On January 10, May 20, and June 3, 2025, the US, EU, and Switzerland imposed sanctions on Prominent Shipmanagement Limited for its activities in the energy sector of the russian economy.
On July 8, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on Prominent Shipmanagement Limited.
The vessel is also affiliated with K&O SHIPMANAGEMENT FZE, the fleet manager of which, master Yevgeny Chubenko, is also the fleet manager at the russian PJSC Sovcomflot.
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on a vessel as a property in which Prominent Shipmanagement Limited has an interest.