Foreign Vessel Detained in Odesa: Key Insights

A foreign vessel linked to Russia's shadow fleet was detained in Odesa port while transporting Ukrainian agricultural goods from occupied Crimea. The ship frequently changed its name and beneficiaries to evade sanctions and continue its illicit operations.

This was reported on Wednesday, December 10, by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).

Ship under sanctions
The SBU established that the owner of the detained vessel was subject to sanctions imposed by the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine. To conceal his operations, he repeatedly altered the ship's name and the fictitious beneficiaries from third countries.
The bulk carrier entered Odesa under the flag of an African nation to load steel pipes, but it was found that it had previously operated in the interests of Russia.

Illegal trips to Crimea
According to the investigation, before the full-scale war began, the vessel made at least seven trips to Sevastopol for the illegal export of Ukrainian products. In January 2021, it transported nearly 7,000 tons of grain from the temporarily occupied peninsula to North Africa.

At the time of the arrest, there were a captain and 16 crew members on board, citizens of several Middle Eastern countries. During the search of the bulk carrier, plans for voyages, pilot cards, maps, and radio communication logs indicating illegal activities in Crimea ports were discovered.

Consequences and penalties
The SBU stated that criminal proceedings had been opened under four articles, including treason, financing actions against Ukraine, and violation of entry rules to occupied territories. The vessel will be transferred to the management of the Asset Recovery and Management Agency (ARMA).

It is worth noting that law enforcement authorities uncovered a scheme for the illegal sale of decommissioned military vessels that were meant to be disposed of. Additionally, there are plans in Ukraine to consolidate the ports of the Danube cluster under a unified administration.