Crew Reviews, Ratings & Info for Hav-Dolphin

The cargo ship HAV Dolphin, staffed by a Russian crew and believed to be a depot for Russian drones, docked in Vaasa on August 28, 2025, at 2 p.m. The vessel's arrival was closely monitored by the Western Finland Coast Guard Section, accompanied by a swarm of media representatives. Having set sail from Antwerp three days earlier, the HAV Dolphin is carrying 2,600 tons of steel destined for the Finnish port. Notably, it had departed from Kaliningrad back in May. In recent months, the ship has come under scrutiny following a thorough investigation by Dutch authorities, prompted by reports from German police regarding suspicious activities. Specifically, multiple drones were sighted in close proximity to the HAV Dolphin, raising red flags about its operations. Additionally, the ship has been noted for its prolonged stays in various ports, furthering concerns regarding its true purpose. Despite the allegations, HAV Shipping, the Norwegian company operating the HAV Dolphin, insists that the vessel was not equipped with any drones at the time of docking. They clarified that when the suspicions arose, the ship was anchored outside the Kiel Canal, surrounded by numerous other vessels. The company confirmed that the ship's cargo of steel was contracted by ArcelorMittal, a leading global steelmaker based in Luxembourg. The scrutiny surrounding HAV Dolphin intensified due to its involvement in maintenance operations within the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad. However, CEO Nico Fürst firmly stated that all necessary spare parts were sourced independently, with no transactions occurring in Russia, and affirmed that the ship did not embark on any cargo deliveries upon leaving Kaliningrad. The HAV Dolphin is one of two vessels under suspicion of functioning as a depot for Russian drones, the other being Lauga (IMO: 9111060), which was reported near Germany and the Netherlands in May and is currently navigating towards Guluk, coming from Cotonou with an estimated arrival on September 7. For detailed coverage, you can view the report with accompanying photos at the Helsinki Times.

The maritime community is closely monitoring the movements of the 'HAV Dolphin', a vessel crewed by Russians and believed to be a depot for Russian drones, as it makes its way to Vaasa, with an estimated arrival date of August 27. Three days ago, the ship departed from Antwerp and is now en route to Finland's coastal city. Previously, it had set sail from Kaliningrad in May. Dutch authorities conducted a thorough inspection of the ship following alerts from German police regarding unusual activities in the vicinity, including sightings of several drones. Additionally, the 'HAV Dolphin' has been noted for its prolonged docking durations at various ports, raising further suspicion. This vessel is among two cargo ships flagged by German and Dutch officials as potential drone depot ships, alongside the 'Lauga', which was previously spotted off the coast of Germany and the Netherlands before heading towards northwest Africa and is now on its way to Turkey.

In a dramatic turn of events, the 'HAV Dolphin', a cargo vessel manned entirely by a Russian crew, was intercepted at the Volkerak locks close to Willemstad in mid-May. Authorities suspect the ship may have deployed drones over European territory. German investigative agencies had alerted the Coast Guard hours prior, expressing concerns about the vessel’s suspicious movements off the coast of Kiel earlier that month, coinciding with drone sightings in the area. A collaborative inspection involving Customs, the Royal Marechaussee, and local police was conducted on the 'HAV Dolphin', but no drones were discovered aboard. However, the situation escalated on the night of June 17, 2025, when drones reappeared over the German patrol ship 'Potsdam'. The patrol vessel was monitoring another Russian cargo ship, the 'Lauga' (IMO: 9111060), within the German Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). These drones trailed the 'Potsdam' for approximately three hours before vanishing just prior to entering Dutch waters. Despite inquiries, German authorities were unable to ascertain whether the drones were launched from the 'Lauga'. They subsequently alerted Belgian customs officials to conduct an inspection of the 'Lauga', but again found no evidence of drone operations. This incident aligns with a troubling trend observed by German investigation services, who have noted a rise in drone activity near vital infrastructures, including ports, chemical facilities, and military sites over the past several years. In light of these developments, German authorities have shared their findings with European investigative counterparts to initiate a broader probe into the unusual behavior exhibited by these cargo vessels. Both the 'HAV Dolphin' and 'Lauga' have raised eyebrows with their recent movements. The 'HAV Dolphin' docked for an extended stay in Kaliningrad, Russia, near a naval base, and notably disabled its mandatory Automatic Identification System (AIS) during its voyage. Similarly, the 'Lauga' also turned off its AIS while navigating across the North Sea and previously visited a Russian naval base in Syria, suggesting potential connections to the Russian Ministry of Defence. After departing from Rotterdam on May 16, the 'HAV Dolphin' arrived in Papenburg on June 3, while the 'Lauga' reached St. Petersburg, Russia, on June 4. These developments are being closely monitored as authorities remain vigilant in the face of potential security threats.

In a dramatic incident on November 4, 2015, the cargo ship 'Bienville' ran aground on the Ouse River just outside Goole. The vessel, which set sail from Riga carrying a load of timber, faced challenges as it navigated the river. Early efforts to dislodge the grounded ship involved the expert assistance of tugboats, including 'Lashette', 'Shovette', and 'Little Shuva', which worked tirelessly as the tide began to rise. These maritime operations highlight the resilience and coordination often required in shipping logistics. For those interested in the visuals of the incident, several photographs are available for viewing: [Photo 1](http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2354861), [Photo 2](http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2354857), [Photo 3](http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2354608), [Photo 4](http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2354856).