The vessel is linked to sanctioned companies 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 for servicing and supporting offshore hydrocarbon production, transportation of russian crude oil, oil products, and liquefied natural gas. The main charterers of PJSC Sovcomflot vessels are the largest oil and gas companies and traders of russia. PJSC Sovcomflot participates in the maintenance of large oil and gas projects in russia: "Sakhalin-1", "Sakhalin-2", "Varandey", "Pryrazlomnoye", "Novyy Port", "Yamal LNG", others. Before the full-scale russian invasion of Ukraine, the company's fleet consisted of 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. The 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.
The vessel has been delivering russian crude oil to China since 2019. The delivery of russian oil to China takes place along the route of the Northern Sea Route.
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).
Transport crude oil or petroleum products that originate in Russia or are exported from Russia while practicing irregular and high-risk shipping practices as set out in the International Maritime Organisation General Assembly resolution A.1192(33)
Article 4x(2), point (b):
transport crude oil or petroleum products, as listed in Annex XIII, that originate in Russia or are exported from Russia while practicing irregular and high-risk shipping practices as set out in the International Maritime Organisation General Assembly resolution A.1192(33)
Shipping sanctions: a specified ship is prohibited from being provided with access to or having its master or pilot cause it to enter a port in the UK, may have its registration on the UK Ship Register terminated, and a master or pilot of a specified ship may be given a port barring direction, a detention direction, and a port entry direction or a movement direction.