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.
According to the data of United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), the vessel was involved in the transportation of Iranian oil and switched to transporting russian oil. Since the beginning of russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, more than 100 vessels that previously helped Tehran export Iranian export oil are now helping russia transport russia's oil/oil products. IIn May 2022, UANI forecast that russia would turn to a "ghost armada" to ensure oil flows to its Chinese partner.
According to GISIS IMO data, as of July 15, 2025, the vessel's registration name is ALISSA, flag is unknown. At the same time, the vessel is sailing under the name SOUFIA 1, the flag of Curacao.
On December 23, 2024, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel in connection with the transportation of crude oil or petroleum products originating in or exported from russia, using irregular and risky shipping practices, as set out in the resolution of the General Assembly of the International Maritime Organization A.1192(33).
On December 16, 2024, the EU imposed sanctions on the tanker (effective from December 17, 2024) due to the transportation of crude oil or petroleum products originating in or exported from russia, using irregular high-risk shipping practices as set out in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly Resolution A.1192(33).
The shadow fleet of russia continues to generate multibillion-dollar revenues for the kremlin bypassing sanctions, disguising its activities under the flags of third countries, using complex schemes to conceal owners, and poses significant environmental threats with significant economic costs to coastal countries and/or the international community due to the outdated and inadequate insurance of shadow fleet tankers.
The tanker is involved in the export of russian oil, violating the G7, EU oil embargo on russian oil in March 2024. In violation of the oil embargo, the vessel transported russian crude oil from the port of Taman in the Black Sea to the Laconikos Gulf, Greece, in March 2024. The tanker called at a russian port, where the price of oil was constantly exceeding the price cap of $60 per barrel of russian crude oil.
The international public organization Greenpeace refers to the tanker as a shadow fleet of tankers transporting russian oil around the world and threatening the environment.