AKTROS

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, the tanker has been involved since February 2023 in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products mainly to the PRC and third countries.
The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of the shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment.
In October 2024, the ship's management was transferred from the Moldova-based KSN Shipmanagement SRL to the Azerbaijan-based Dream Island Shipping LLC. According to investigative journalists from RISE Moldova, KSN Shipmanagement SRL is one of ten Moldova-based companies that play a significant role in the maritime transportation of russian oil.
The tanker's name Torex appeared in early 2023 after it was sold by a Pakistani corporation for more than five billion Pakistani rupees (equivalent to about $21 million in early 2023). In early April, and then in July 2023, a Norwegian maritime trade news portal reported that the actual new beneficiary of the tanker was KSN Shipmanagement SRL from Moldova.
The shadow fleet of russia continues to generate multibillion-dollar revenues for the kremlin bypassing sanctions, disguising its activities under the flags of third countries, using complex schemes to conceal owners, and poses significant environmental threats with significant economic costs to coastal countries and/or the international community due to the outdated and inadequate insurance of shadow fleet tankers.
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.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since March 25, 2026, Canada has imposed sanctions on the vessel.