BLUE TALU

The tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, as well as through STS transfers near European countries (Greece), near Egyptian ports, in particular with the tanker IMO 9247443, which since July 2024 has been acting as a transshipment STS hub for russian crude oil/petroleum products in the area near Greece and Cyprus, transported by tankers mainly from the russian ports of Tuapse, Novorossiysk, Taman crude oil/petroleum products transshipment complex for transshipment near European countries, with the tanker IMO 9265873, which is actively involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas, including the use of deceptive, high-risk practices.
The tanker IMO 9334557 is affiliated with the Indian company 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, and the company Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment, a company related to Gatik, which in 2023, together with Caishan Ship Management, Plutos Ship Management, Gaurik Ship Management, Geras Ship Management, Girik Ship Management, Galena Ship Management, Nautilus Shipping, Orion Ship Management, Zidan Ship Management, was involved in a scheme to "juggle" vessels operated by Gatik Ship Management to avoid sanctions. Gatik Ship Management and Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment were the previous managers of the vessel. Tankers operated/managed by India's Gatik Ship Management continue to be used by related companies and call at russian ports.
Since 2023, after the tanker was operated by Gatik Ship Management, the vessel has changed commercial manager four times, technical manager three times, owner once, flag country twice, and vessel name once.
On April 11, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of the vessel IMO 9334557.
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.