GURUDEV

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 supply chain of russian crude oil/petroleum products mainly from russian ports in the Black Sea to third countries, including through STS transfers with russian affiliations. Transshipment of crude oil/petroleum products of russian origin by STS method allows to conceal ownership and origin of the cargo, and legalize their supply to EU, USA and other countries. In turn, the sale of crude oil/petroleum products on the world market allows accumulating significant financial resources in the state budget of the russian federation, which are used, among other things, to build up the military potential of the aggressor-state and to provide material support for russia's military operations on the territory of Ukraine.
The vessel has been engaged in dark activities near the russian port of Tuapse, Lebanon, Sudan and South Sudan, and Saudi Arabia.
On January 28, 2025, in the area near Greece, the tanker IMO 9253234 carried out an STS transfer with the tanker IMO 9314894, which arrived for transshipment in the area near Greece from the russian port of Novorossiysk, in particular the Sheskaris terminal, which is a transshipment complex, the final point of the main pipelines of Chernomortransneft JSC (TIN: 2315072242, under USA sanctions), a subsidiary of the sanctioned russian Transneft PJSC (TIN: 7706061801). At the same time, the tanker IMO 9314894 is affiliated with the Indian companies Orion Ship Management, Geras Ship Management, which in 2023, together with Caishan Ship Management, Plutos Ship Management, Gaurik Ship Management, Girik Ship Management, Galena Ship Management, Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment, Zidan Ship Management, were involved in a scheme of "juggling" vessels operated by Gatik Ship Management, one of the leading operators of the shadow fleet involved in the transportation of russian crude oil/petroleum products under Western sanctions.
On January 09, 2025, in the area near Greece, tanker IMO 9253234 carried out an STS transfer with tanker IMO 9247443, after which tanker IMO 9253234 called at the port of Said (Egypt). On February 05, 2025, in the area near Greece, tanker IMO 9253234 carried out an STS transfer with tanker IMO 9247443, after which on February 13, 2025, tanker IMO 9253234 called at the port of Benghazi (Libya). On February 21, 2025, after leaving the port of Benghazi (Libya), near Cyprus, tanker IMO 9253234 carried out an STS transfer with the same tanker IMO 9247443, after which tanker IMO 9253234 called at the port of Alexandria (Egypt). Since July 2024, tanker IMO 9247443 without proper insurance of the International P&I Club has been operating in the area of Greece, Cyprus as a floating STS transshipment hub of russian wet cargo delivered to the area of Greece, Cyprus for transshipment mainly from the russian ports of Tuapse, Novorossiysk, as well as from the Taman crude oil/petroleum products transshipment complex, Primorsk, Ust-Luga. Such deliveries from russian ports for further transshipment via tanker IMO 9247443 in European waters are carried out by a number of tankers, in particular, affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management.
On March 07, 2025, in the area near Cyprus, tanker IMO 9253234 carried out an STS transfer with tanker IMO 9422988, which was sanctioned by USA on March 20, 2025 as part of the shadow fleet involved in the transportation of Iranian oil to Chinese (teapot) refineries.
On March 08, 2025, near Cyprus, tanker IMO 9253234 carried out an STS transfer with tanker IMO 9299862, affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management, which arrived in the area near Cyprus from the russian Taman crude oil/petroleum products transshipment complex.
Participation in other STS transfers with russian affiliation.
The tanker IMO 9253234 is affiliated with the Indian company Plutos Ship Management, which in 2023, together with Caishan Ship Management, Orion Ship Management, Gaurik Ship Management, Geras Ship Management, Girik Ship Management, Galena Ship Management, Nautilus Shipping, Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment, Zidan Ship Management, was involved in a scheme of "juggling" vessels operated by Gatik Ship Management to avoid sanctions.
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.
On May 20, 2025, the EU imposed sanctions, which will enter into force on May 21, 2025, on the tanker for the transportation of crude oil/petroleum products originating in or exported from russia, using irregular high-risk shipping practices as specified in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly Resolution A.1192(33).
On June 03, 2025, the sanctions imposed by Switzerland on the vessel came into force.