In April 2023, USA imposed sanctions on Artvin Denizcilik Ve Ticaret and its fleet of vessels (including "Alara") due to its ties with the russian sanctioned shipping company Pola Rise LLC, which specializes in the export and import transportation of bulk general and project cargoes in the Mediterranean, Black, Azov, Caspian, Baltic, White, and North Seas, including voyages around Europe, as well as in russian inland waterways.
The sanctions were imposed on Pola Rise LLC and 22 affiliated vessels for their activities in the maritime sector of the russian economy, participation in increasing russia's trade with Turkey and facilitating the supply of materials to construction sites in the Arctic.
Since October 2022, the owner and commercial manager of the bulk carrier has been Artvin Denizcilik Ve Ticaret, a Turkish sanctioned company founded in June 2022.
The company's fleet consists of vessels carrying bulk cargo (grain, ore). The board of directors of Artvin Denizcilik Ve Ticaret includes russian citizens.