On October 17, 2024, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel in connection with promoting, supporting actions or policies aimed at the operation, development or expansion of the energy sector in russia, including energy infrastructure.
Despite the sanctions, the vessel continued to transport russian oil products, delivering consignments of russian fuel oil and vacuum gas oil to Turkey.
The vessel through Avebury Shipmanagment LLC-FZ, Fornax Ship Management, Sun Ship Management, Oil Tankers Scf Mgmt Fzco, affiliated with the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia, a key company for servicing and supporting offshore hydrocarbon extraction, transportation of russian oil, oil products, and LNG. The services provided by Sovcomflot are a significant source of income for the russian federation, as more than 70% of russia's revenues come from the sale of energy, which allows it to finance its war against Ukraine. The main charterers of Sovcomflot vessels are the largest oil and gas companies and traders in russia. Sovcomflot is involved in servicing major oil and gas projects in Russia: "Sakhalin-1, Sakhalin-2, Varandey, Prirazlomnoye, Novy Port, Yamal LNG, and others. Prior to russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the company's fleet consisted of about 145 vessels. After the sanctions were imposed, Sovcomflot transferred dozens of vessels to the ownership of companies it had set up, including in foreign jurisdictions, in order to circumvent them, and began the practice of constantly "juggling" (transferring) vessels to affiliated companies. According to expert estimates, the tankers transferred by Sovcomflot to related companies are part of the so-called "shadow tanker fleet" of the russian federation to continue selling russian oil, oil products, and liquefied natural gas under western sanctions.