TIANMA

The tanker has been involved in the transport of Iranian-origin crude oil to the People’s Republic of China (PRC), including deliveries to the Shandong Shengxing Chemical Co. Ltd. refinery. Its operations include ship-to-ship (STS) transfers with designated vessels engaged in Iranian oil shipments.
In early 2025, the vessel received several hundred thousand barrels of Iranian crude via STS transfer from the sanctioned tanker IMO 9569700, which was designated by the United States on 11 October 2024.
Many tankers involved in transporting Iranian oil to countries such as China are also involved in Venezuelan trade, including tanker IMO 9242120. 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.
On 16 April 2025, the United States designated the tanker IMO 9242120 for its role in sanctions evasion involving Iranian oil.
The tanker belongs to the Panamanian company Civic Capital Shipping Inc (Panama Folio Number - (MERCANTIL) Folio Nº 155754670). This company is affiliated with Hector Varela De Leon. Hector Varela De Leon is the founder of the Panamanian company Civic Capital Shipping Inc. Hector Varela De Leon is associated with the incorporation and management of a number of shell companies, including those that are part of the vast shipping empire of Iranian oil magnate and major arms supplier to russia Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, son of Ali Shamkhani, former Iranian defense minister and chief political adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Hector Varela de Leon is the founder and director of a number of companies that own, among other things, tankers belonging to the shadow fleet of the russian federation and Iran. On July 30, 2025, the United States imposed sanctions on Hector Varela de Leon for his activities in the oil sector of the Iranian economy.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.