The tanker has been implicated in the export of russian wet cargo from ports in the Black Sea and Azov Sea and has systematically engaged in dark activities in the Kerch Strait area, near russian ports in the Azov and Black Seas, as well as near Cyprus, Syria, and Iran (in 2023).
Since September 2023, the tanker has been owned by the russian company Traveler Shipping LLC (ООО "Тревелер Шиппинг"), founded in 2009 by Aston Food and Food Ingredients JSC (АО "Астон продукты питания и пищевые ингредиенты"), one of the largest producers of food and food ingredients in the russian federation and a leading exporter of agricultural products and vegetable oils.
The vessel’s previous owner was the russian company Trans-Flot LLC (ООО "Транс-Флот", TIN 6367039363), designated by the United States. Trans-Flot is one of the largest shipping companies in the russian federation, engaged in cargo transportation on inland waterways and international sea routes. The company’s primary cargoes include crude oil and petroleum products, edible oils, and liquid chemical cargoes. Its area of operation covers the North-West, Central, Volga, Azov-Don, and Kama river basins, with access to the coastal waters of the Baltic, Black, Azov, Mediterranean, and Caspian Seas, as well as northern russian ports. Trans-Flot LLC is affiliated with the designated vessels IMO 9690224 and IMO 9690212, which have been involved in supplying fuel to the TOT of Crimea, Ukraine, on behalf of the designated Sovfracht JSC (АО "Совфрахт", TIN 7702059030) — one of the largest independent transport and forwarding companies in the russian federation and a key node in the military transport network of russian cargo vessels delivering North Korean weapons to military facilities. These shipments are subsequently transported to weapons depots on russia’s western border for use in the war against Ukraine.
The fleet of Traveler Shipping LLC comprises 15 sea-going vessels, including the tankers IMO 8943260 and IMO 8883252, which have been involved in the supply of jet fuel and other strategic cargoes to the Middle East (for the russian military contingent in Syria in the interests of the Ministry of Defence of the russian federation) and have made port calls at ports in the TOT of Ukraine, including Port Krym.
On 9 May 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker as part of measures targeting the shadow fleet of the russian federation, citing its involvement in activities intended to destabilise Ukraine, undermine or threaten its territorial integrity, sovereignty, or independence, benefit from or support the Government of the russian federation, and its role in transporting crude oil or petroleum products of russian origin, including from russia to third countries.
In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since September 18, 2025, Australia has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since October 24, 2025, the EU has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Switzerland has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 20, 2026, New Zealand imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In accordance with EU Council Regulation 2026/506 of April 23, 2026, the EU de-listed the tanker.
Since May 22, 2026, Switzerland has de-listed the vessel.
