russia's 'shadow fleet' continues to provide 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threats with significant economic costs to coastal countries and/or the international community due to the outdated and inadequate insurance of shadow fleet tankers.
On February 24, March 04, 2025 EU and Switzerland respectively imposed sanctions on the tanker for transporting crude oil/oil products originating in or exported from russia using irregular and high-risk shipping practices as specified in the International Maritime Organization General Assembly resolution A.1192 (33) (EU sanctions will enter into force on February 25, 2025).
During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price-cap policy on russian oil, the tanker was involved in the export of russian oil to third countries from russian ports.
Under the sanctions, russia has begun to build up its own shadow fleet of outdated tankers, which has no 'ties' with the G7 and the EU and can transport oil in violation of price caps. russia disguises its shadow activities at sea under the 'convenient' flags of third countries, operates at sea without proper insurance from the international club of insurers, uses complex schemes to conceal the owners of the shadow fleet, uses various deceptive tactics to conceal the origin of its cargo, creates threats to environmental safety with large-scale economic costs for coastal countries due to the growing threat of oil spills, does not use pilots to navigate difficult areas, etc.
On November 25, 2024, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on a tanker in connection with the transportation of russian oil/oil products from the russian federation to a third country as part of the restrictions on the russian shadow fleet.
The vessel is affiliated with Gatik Ship Management (India), which in 2022-2023 was among the top players in the shadow tanker fleet involved in the export of russian oil, as well as with the Gatik-related company Gaurik Ship Management LLP.