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.
In February 2024, USA imposed sanctions on 14 vessels (including the "Ladoga") affiliated with the sanctioned company Sovcomflot as part of measures to reduce russia's oil revenues.
The tanker is owned and operated by Invest Fleet LLC, a russian company established in December 2023. Invest Fleet LLC is managed by the russian LLC SCF Arctica, a subsidiary of the sanctioned PJSC Sovcomflot, the largest state-owned shipping company in russia, a key company for servicing and supporting offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian oil, oil products, and liquefied natural gas amid sanctions restrictions on russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
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.
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 related 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.