The tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/oil products from russian ports in the Pacific region, mainly to China, during the period of the G7+ oil embargo and price cap policy. The tanker is affiliated through the sanctioned companies Sun Ship Management (UAE), Oil Tankers SCF MGMT FZCO (UAE), Fornax Ship Management FZCO (UAE) with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia that services and provides offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian crude oil, oil products, and liquefied gas. The major charterers of PJSC Sovcomflot's vessels are russia's largest oil and gas companies and traders. PJSC Sovcomflot is involved in servicing major oil and gas projects in russia: Sakhalin-1, Sakhalin-2, Varandey, Prirazlomnoye, Novy Port, Yamal LNG and others. On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel as a property in which Fornax Ship Management FZCO has an interest. 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. In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel. On July 21, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel. On December 24, 2025, the ship changed its flag to that of the russian federation. At that time, the ship was off the coast of Venezuela. The switch to the russian flag was probably done to avoid being detained and arrested by the US Coast Guard in the Caribbean Sea as part of the blockade of sanctioned oil tankers entering/leaving Venezuelan ports. As of January 15, 2026, the vessel is in the Atlantic Ocean, heading for the Russian port of Ust-Luga. Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
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.
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).