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.
The tanker, during the period of the G7+ oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/oil products, is involved in the export of russian crude oil/oil products from russian ports in the Black Sea, and resorts to deceptive, high-risk practices, in particular, systematic shutdowns of AIS in the Kerch Strait area in the Black Sea, STS transmissions, in particular, in the Kerch Strait area in the Black Sea in February 2025 with the tanker IMO 9185530, which has been under USA sanctions since March 26, 2024 for the transportation of Iranian commodities to China, in November, December 2024, January 2025 in the Gulf of Laconikos with the tanker IMO 9402732 of VLCC class 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/oil products under Western sanctions in 2022-2023.
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).
The tanker is affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management and the Gatik-related company Gaurik Ship Management LLP, which in 2023, together with Caishan Ship Management, Plutos Ship Management, Orion Ship Management LLP, Geras Ship Management, Girik Ship Management, Galena Ship Management, Nautilus Shipping (India), Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment LLC, Zidan Ship Management, was involved in a scheme to 'juggle' vessels managed by Gatik Ship Management in order to avoid sanctions. Gatik Ship Management and Gaurik Ship Management LLP were the previous managers of the vessel. Tankers operated/managed by the Indian Gatik Ship Management continue to be used by related companies and call at russian ports.