On October 17, 2024, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on tankers of the russian so-called "shadow fleet", including the tanker ‘NS ARCTIC' (a former name).
The vessel, through related companies, in particular Stream Ship Management FZCO, is affiliated with 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 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 energy sales, which allows it to finance its war against Ukraine. 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. 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 gas under western sanctions.
During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price-cap policy on russian oil, the tanker was involved in the export of russian oil from russian ports to China, including with the AIS turned off.