Discover the Kira-K: Ratings & Maritime News

On June 30, 2026, a dramatic situation unfolded at approximately 11 a.m. when the 'Kira K', a tanker loaded with around 100,000 tons of oil and flagged in Panama, was targeted by Greenpeace activists as it navigated through the Fehmarn Belt after leaving the Russian port of Primorsk two days prior. As the vessel cruised at ten knots out of the Kadet Channel, Greenpeace deployed four large inflatable boats from the shelter of Fehmarn’s coastline. These activists, entering the scene, aimed to capture footage and images of their banners, effectively highlighting concerns over the sanctions on the oil tanker which is listed on several sanctions registries. Quick to respond, the German Federal Police dispatched the patrol vessel 'Bayreuth' from its location off Puttgarden to trail the Greenpeace boats, which were heading directly for the 'Kira K'. Despite attempts to caution the activists against approaching too closely, the 'Bayreuth' altered its course slightly when it became evident that the Greenpeace boats were maintaining a safe distance for their media coverage. At this point, the Russian frigate 'Soobrazitelny', which had been patrolling near the Rostock port, radioed: "This is Russian war ship 531, stay away from the Kira K." Following this command, the Greenpeace boats cooperatively agreed to maintain their distance. For safety reasons, the 'Bayreuth' placed itself between the Russian frigate and the Greenpeace vessels. The captain of the 'Bayreuth' informed the Russian ship that the Greenpeace operation had concluded. The Russian commander's response indicated that the frigate would continue its exercises, remaining with the 'Kira K' while escorting it through the Fehmarn Belt. The 'Kira K' has been implicated in the controversial export of Russian oil from Baltic Sea ports to third-party nations, including India, often navigating with its AIS turned off. This tanker, referred to by Greenpeace as part of Russia's shadow fleet, poses significant risks to the environment through its operations within key maritime channels. Ownership of the 'Kira K' transitioned to a mysterious entity, Eastern Shipping Inc, based in Seychelles, in June 2023, after it was previously owned by a Greek company. Under the classification of China Classification Society (IACS), the vessel has a history of being utilized for ship-to-ship (STS) transfers. The United Kingdom led a wave of sanctions against the vessel beginning February 24, 2025. Canada and Australia followed suit in June, with the European Union imposing sanctions starting July 20, 2025, due to the tanker’s connections to Russian oil exports coupled with risky shipping practices. Subsequent measures from Switzerland, New Zealand, and Ukraine throughout late 2025 and early 2026 further tightened restrictions on the vessel and its operations. For continued updates and multimedia coverage of the unfolding situation, see links: [KN Online](https://www.kn-online.de/schleswig-holstein/russische-schattenflotte-vor-fehmarn-fregatte-draengt-greenpeace-aktivisten-ab-XHWVAQ6IMZBA5HU7IJK6ZHWIP4.html), [Tagesschau](https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/regional/schleswigholstein/greenpeace-putins-schattenflotte-faehrt-vor-deutscher-kueste,schattenflotte-130.html), [Hromadske Radio](https://hromadske.radio/news/2026/06/30/sanktsii-ne-na-paperi-tinovyy-flot-rf-zminyv-marshrut-v-baltiyskomu-mori-pislia-posylennia-kontroliu-shvetsiieiu).

In a recent development, a charter has been finalized for the transportation of 80,000 tonnes of dirty cargo from Novorossiysk to the Mediterranean. The charter is set to take place between November 18 and November 20, 2019. The deal, conducted with Shell, has been agreed at a competitive rate of WS 122.5, reflecting the current market conditions and demand for shipping services.