During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, the tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas to third countries, as well as in STS transfers near European countries.
In April 2024, in the Laconikos Gulf, the tanker, having left a russian port, made STS transmissions with tankers IMO 9352195 and IMO 9290517, 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.
In August 2024, after leaving the russian port of Tuapse, the tanker made STS transfers with tanker IMO 9299123, affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management, IMO 9247443, which since July 2024 in the area near Greece, Cyprus, has been acting as a transshipment STS hub for russian crude oil/petroleum products transported by tankers mainly from the russian ports of Tuapse, Novorossiysk, Taman crude oil/petroleum products transshipment complex for transshipment near European countries. After these transfers, the vessel IMO 9318034 returned to the port of Tuapse.
In December 2024, after leaving the port of Primorsk, and after conducting dark activities in the Gulf of Finland, it made an STS transfer in the area near Greece with the tanker IMO 9266475 (under UK, EU, Swiss sanctions), which is also involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas, in particular, using deceptive, high-risk practices. After this transfer, the tanker IMO 9318034 called at the russian port of Ust-Luga.
The tanker IMO 9318034 is affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management and the Gatik-related company Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment, 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 managed by Gatik Ship Management to avoid sanctions. Gatik Ship Management and Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment were the previous managers of the vessel. The tankers operated/managed by India's Gatik Ship Management continue to be used by related companies and call at russian ports.
As of April 11, 2025, the commercial and technical manager of the tanker is the Indian company Charai Sea Shipping Pvt Ltd, the fleet of which also includes the sanctioned tanker IMO 9299123, which is considered part of the shadow fleet, affiliated with the shadow operator Gatik Ship Management, and involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products to third countries.
On April 11, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the captain of vessel IMO 9318034.
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).
Since June 3, 2025, Switzerland has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
According to the database of the Global Integrated Shipping Information System of the International Maritime Organization (IMO's GISIS), as of July 30, 2025, the vessel's registered name is OLIVE, flag is unknown. At the same time, the vessel sails under the name SARD, the flag of Malawi.
Since September 18, 2025, Australia has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
The tanker has been flying the russian flag since August 2026.
