The constant change of ship owners and managers to avoid sanctions and conceal the true beneficiaries of the ships is typical for the so-called 'shadow' fleet involved in the russian oil and oil products trade.
On October 17, 2024, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on tankers of the russian so-called "shadow" fleet, including the tanker 'SAI BABA', in connection with the transportation of russian oil and/or oil products from the russian federation to third countries.
The tanker is affiliated with the Indian company Gatik Ship Management, one of the leading operators of the so-called 'shadow' fleet involved in the transportation of russian crude oil under Western sanctions, and Gatik's related companies, including Plutos Ship Management, Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment LLC. Gatik Ship Management, Plutos Ship Management, Ark Seakonnect Shipmanagment LLC were the previous managers of the tanker.
During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and price-cap policy on russian oil, the tanker is involved in the export of russian oil to third countries from russian ports, in particular in the Black Sea, including with the AIS turned off.
Since the beginning of russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, the Indian company Gatik Ship Management has become the largest carrier of russian oil and was used to operate the russian 'shadow' fleet under sanctions.