In 2024, the tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil to third countries from russian ports in the Baltic Sea and the Pacific region. The tanker is also involved in the transportation of Iranian oil. Tanker IMO 9257137 is linked to anonymous Chinese buyers who spent approximately $376 million on the purchase of a group of 13 tankers for high-risk transportation of crude oil of russian origin. Among these 13 tankers are seven VLCCs, five Aframaxes, and one Suezmax. The vessels were purchased through 20 separate but interconnected single-vessel shell companies from Hong Kong and the PRC. Subsequently, all but one of the tankers were engaged in transshipment of wet cargo in international waters, in areas 860 nautical miles west of Portugal. On December 03, 2024, USA imposed sanctions on the tanker. Since May 21 and June 3, 2025, the EU and Switzerland, respectively, have imposed sanctions on the vessel for transporting crude oil/petroleum products originating in or exported from rRussia, using irregular shipping practices with a high degree of risk, as specified in Resolution A.1192(33) of the General Assembly of the International Maritime Organization. On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel. In November 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel. In early January 2026, the tanker MIN HANG (IMO 9257137), as part of a group of tankers, attempted to leave Venezuelan waters in dark mode (with AIS transponders turned off) to bypass the US blockade as part of Operation Southern Spear. After the US detained another vessel from this group (OLINA (IMO 9282479)) on January 9, 2026, the tanker MIN HANG (IMO 9257137) and two other vessels (THALIA III (IMO 9259197) and MEROPE (IMO 9281891)) returned to Venezuelan waters. All of these tankers were loaded with oil belonging to the sanctioned Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA. Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Transport crude oil or petroleum products that originate in Russia or are exported from Russia while practicing irregular and high-risk shipping practices as set out in the International Maritime Organisation General Assembly resolution A.1192(33)
Shipping sanctions: a specified ship is prohibited from being provided with access to or having its master or pilot cause it to enter a port in the UK, may have its registration on the UK Ship Register terminated, and a master or pilot of a specified ship may be given a port barring direction, a detention direction, and a port entry direction or a movement direction.