WU TAI

The tanker is affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management, one of the leading shadow fleet operators, which in 2022-2023 played a significant role in the transportation of russian crude oil/petroleum products under Western sanctions, and the Gatik-related company Caishan Ship Management, which in 2023, together with Gaurik Ship Management, Galena Ship Management, Plutos Ship Management, Geras Ship Management, Girik Ship Management, Orion Ship Management, Nautilus Shipping, Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment, Zidan Ship Management, was involved in a scheme to "juggle" vessels operated by Gatik Ship Management to avoid sanctions.
Gatik Ship Management and Caishan Ship Management were the previous managers of the tanker. Tankers operated/managed by the Indian Gatik Ship Management continue to be used by related companies and call at russian ports.
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 export of russian crude oil/petroleum products using deceptive, high-risk practices (disabling AIS, conducting dark activities near Malta and Egypt, conducting STS transmissions with russian affiliation, in particular, near Egypt in 2025). In 2025, the vessel is actively conducting STS transmissions near Egypt, including with sanctioned vessels of the russian shadow fleet affiliated with the Indian shadow fleet operator Gatik Ship Management (IMO 9314882, IMO 9299123, IMO 9258026).
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.