NICHOLA

The tanker is involved in the delivery of numerous shipments of Iranian oil to refineries in China, is affiliated with the company Rita Shipping Inc (Marshall Islands).
On October 11, 2024, within the framework of expanding restrictions on Iran's petroleum/petrochemical sector, USA imposed sanctions on Rita Shipping Inc. pursuant to 13846 for providing material assistance, sponsorship or financial, material or technological support, or goods or services in support of the sanctioned National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) on or after November 05, 2018.
The National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) is one of the largest oil and gas companies in the world and is controlled by the Iranian Ministry of Oil. NIOC and its subsidiaries explore, produce, transport, process and export oil and natural gas in Iran. The oil deals of NIOC, including its subsidiaries, are used to generate revenue for the IRGC-QF (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) and Hizballah (Hezbollah). After russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, namely in July 2022 during putin's visit to Tehran, the National Iranian Oil Company and the russian sanctioned PJSC Gazprom signed a memorandum of understanding on strategic cooperation in the oil and gas sector worth about $40 billion.
On October 11, 2024, USA imposed sanctions on the tanker as a property in which Rita Shipping Inc has an interest pursuant to EO 13846.