The vessel was repeatedly recorded by the Monitoring Group of the "Institute of Black Sea Strategic Studies" and the editors of BlackSeaNews in the export of russian crude oil. In particular, the facts of the ship's participation in the transportation of russian oil were recorded in December 2023 (from russian ports in the Black Sea to the Turkish port of Aliaga), in January 2024 (from the russian port of Tuapse to the port of Lome, Togo), in May-June 2024 ( from the russian port of Primorsk to the Brazilian port of Paranagua).
In July 2024, UK imposed sanctions on a vessel in connection with its involvement in the transportation of russian oil and/or petroleum products from the russian federation to third countries.
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 vessel through Sun Ship Management, Oil Tankers Scf Mgmt FZCO, is affiliated with the sanctioned PJSC "Sovcomflot" - the largest state-owned shipping company in russia, a key company for the maintenance and provision of marine hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian oil, petroleum products, liquefied gas against the background of the application of sanctions restrictions to the russian federation after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The services provided by PJSC "Sovcomflot" are a significant source of income for the russian federation, since more than 70% of russia's income is from the sale of energy carriers, which allows it to finance the war against Ukraine. The main charterers of "Sovcomflot" vessels are the largest oil and gas companies and traders of russia. "Sovcomflot" participates in the maintenance of large oil and gas projects in russia: "Sakhalin-1", "Sakhalin-2", "Varandey", "Pryrazlomne", "Noviy Port", "Yamal LNG" and others. Before the full-scale russian invasion of Ukraine, the company's fleet numbered about 145 vessels. After the application of sanctions, PJSC "Sovcomflot" transferred dozens of vessels to the ownership of companies it created, including those in foreign jurisdictions, in order to circumvent them, starting the practice of constant "juggling" (transferring) vessels to related companies. Tankers "transferred" by PJSC "Sovcomflot" to related companies are, according to experts, part of the so-called "shadow tanker fleet" of the russian federation to continue sales of russian oil, petroleum products, and liquefied gas under Western sanctions.