CETUS

The tanker, during the period of the G7+ oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/oil products, is involved in the transportation of russian crude oil/oil products from russian ports in the Baltic Sea using deceptive, high-risk practices (disabling AIS, in particular, in the area of the port of Ust-Luga).
The tanker is affiliated with the Indian company Maritas Fleet Private Ltd, which was the ISM manager of the vessel from December 2022 to February 2024. The dominance of India as the technical and ISM manager of shadow fleet tankers may indicate the creation of a control center for shadow fleet vessels, masking the beneficial owners. Established in 2022, Maritas Fleet Private Ltd has managed 29 tankers, including those under sanctions, affiliated with the sanctioned company Hennesea Holdings Limited. Hennesea Holdings Limited was founded in late 2022 in the UAE and owned 18 vessels that transported crude oil of russian origin at a price above $60 per barrel. Shortly before the introduction of the price-cap policy, the company acquired old tankers involved in the transportation of russian crude oil and petroleum products with calls to russian ports.
On May 20, 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.
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).
On August 12, 2025, Switzerland 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.
On February 24, 2026, Australia imposed sanctions on the vessel.