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.
The main charterers of Sovcomflot's vessels are russia's largest oil and gas companies and traders. 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.
The vessel was recorded by the Monitoring Group of the Institute for Black Sea Strategic Studies and the BlackSeaNews editorial board as exporting russian crude oil. In particular, the facts of the vessel's participation in the transportation of russian oil were recorded in June-July 2024 (from the russian port of Primorsk to the Indian port of Mundra).
In June-July 2024, UK and EU imposed sanctions on the vessel in connection with its involvement in the transportation of russian oil and/or oil products from russia to third countries, as well as in connection with the support of the development of the energy sector of russia.
The vessel through Stream Ship Management Fzco, 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 liquefied gas amidst the application of sanctions restrictions to russia after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The services provided by Sovcomflot are a significant source of income for russia, as more than 70% of russia's revenues come from the sale of energy, which allows it to finance its war against Ukraine.