Mikhail-Dudin Vessel Reviews and Specifications

On March 2, 2023, four Greenpeace activists were apprehended by police while obstructing the passage of the vessel 'Mikhail Dudin' at the northern port of Dunkirk, France. The environmental group alleged that the ship was transporting uranium from Russia destined for the country’s nuclear power facilities. Approximately 20 demonstrators gathered at the docks, displaying signs with messages such as "Stop toxic contracts" and "Solidarity with Ukrainians." Some activists took to the water in kayaks to further impede the ship, while a large banner unfurled across the lock read, "Uranium: EDF loves Putin," targeting the French state-owned energy company. The protest concluded around 9:00 a.m. after the police arrested the four individuals involved. Greenpeace has been vocal in its criticism of France's ongoing relations with Russia’s state-owned nuclear company, Rosatom, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Pauline Boyer, an energy campaigner for Greenpeace France, stated, "This trade, which indirectly fuels Putin’s war, must stop." The organization claims to have documented the 'Mikhail Dudin' unloading Russian natural and enriched uranium in France on multiple occasions. Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the vessel has made over 20 trips between Dunkirk and Russian ports, including Vistino, Ust-Luga, and St. Petersburg. Another ship, the 'Baltiyskiy-202,' has also been implicated in transporting uranium, completing more than 15 round trips in the same timeframe. For more details, view the full report with photos at https://www.kyivpost.com/post/71030.

The 'Mikhail Dudin' made its way to Rotterdam, docking on December 2nd. Just last month, this vessel was involved in the transport of uranium from the enigmatic Russian shadow fleet to France, and its latest shipment to Rotterdam sparks concerns as it is believed to be nuclear fuel. This ship has a history of transporting radioactive materials between Russia and Western Europe. In a recent report, Greenpeace highlighted that during its last visit to Dunkirk, at least ten containers of uranium were loaded, intended for Rosatom in Russia. The Port of Rotterdam is now actively managing this contentious cargo.

On November 26, the cargo ship 'Mikhail Dudin', which embarked on its journey from Dunkirk on November 15, has reached the Russian port of Ust-Luga. The vessel transported approximately ten containers of reprocessed uranium that contained traces of plutonium and other fission products. The journey from Ust-Luga to Tomsk-7, a secretive location in Siberia now referred to as Seversk, typically takes about five days by rail. Before it took on its specialized role in nuclear transport, the 'Mikhail Dudin' primarily carried ammonium nitrate and was a familiar sight at ports such as Nantes, St. Malo, and Les Sables-d'Olonne. The ship is owned by Cargo Flow Line Ltd, a company operating out of Hong Kong, while NWS 2 Balt Shipping Co Ltd manages its operations. The vessel is classified by Panama Shipping Registrar Inc, a classification society often associated with the final voyages of end-of-life ships to destinations like India, Bangladesh, or Turkey. Notably, the Panama Shipping Registrar is not part of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS). The magazine 'Robin des Bois', dedicated to reporting on end-of-life ships, expressed concerns about the EDF, the French state-owned power utility, utilizing the 'Mikhail Dudin' for transporting contaminated uranium between France and Russia, as well as enriched uranium in the opposite direction. Inspection records reveal the 'Mikhail Dudin' faced scrutiny during a port visit to Ellesmere, situated just five kilometers from the Capenhurst uranium enrichment facility operated by Urenco. In May 2018, the ship was detained for three days due to eight deficiencies. Further inspections in October 2021, November 2022, December 2023, and February 2025 highlighted ongoing concerns, revealing multiple deficiencies each time. Notably, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, exchanges of radioactive materials between Russia and the UK have been halted, though the 'Mikhail Dudin' has continued its frequent journeys to Dunkirk.

Greenpeace is ramping up its campaign against the uranium trade between France and Russia, highlighting a recent resumption of shipments after a nearly three-year break. On November 15, the environmental organization released images capturing containers filled with spent uranium being loaded onto the cargo vessel 'Mikhail Dudin' at the port of Dunkirk, en route to Ust-Luga. A total of at least 10 containers marked with hazardous cargo symbols were documented arriving at the Dunkirk port, ready for loading onto the Hong Kong-based ship, which operates under the flag of Panama. The vessel set sail at midday, with an estimated arrival at Ust-Luga on November 25. Greenpeace pointed out that this route is regularly used to transport enriched or natural uranium. The organization claims that France relies heavily on Russia for the reprocessing of their spent uranium, as the country houses the world's sole facility dedicated to transforming reprocessed uranium. This process includes conversion and re-enrichment, with around 10% of the material being sent back to France. According to Greenpeace, French energy giant EDF intends to utilize this reprocessed uranium in its 1300 MWe reactors, noting that over the period from 1994 to 2013, 600 tons were utilized in the Cruas-Meysse plant's reactors. Greenpeace previously protested these shipments in 2022, prompting a temporary halt by the French government in September 2022. The trade had resumed in 2021 after a previous suspension in 2010. Organizations like Orano, which supports the nuclear sector alongside EDF and Rosatom, participate in this exchange, whereby reprocessed material is dispatched to Russia with a fraction returned for French use. Greenpeace is demanding that France disclose the amount of reprocessed uranium exported to Russia since 2022, intervene to cease all exports, and end all import-export contracts involving uranium. The environmental group suspects that France may have continued this trade quietly due to substantial stockpiles, estimating around 35,000 tons of reprocessed uranium stored in warehouses. They believe the true motive is the disposal of excessive radioactive waste, pointing out that 90% of it ultimately becomes stored waste. Additionally, Greenpeace warns that forthcoming sanctions on Russia's energy sector may target Rosatom and its nuclear trade, in addition to the existing restrictions on Russian gas and oil. However, they urge France to take immediate and decisive action to halt the uranium trade entirely. For further details and photographic evidence, visit the Greenpeace press release [here](https://www.greenpeace.fr/espace-presse/en-pleine-invasion-globale-russe-de-lukraine-la-france-reprend-les-exportations-duranium-de-retraitement-vers-la-russie/).

On the evening of September 27, 2025, the maritime vessel 'Mikhail Dudin' encountered what is alleged to be engine troubles while navigating near Karlskrona. Having departed from the Russian Port of St. Petersburg on September 23, 2025, with a destination of Dunkirk, the ship's erratic movement led to it drifting northward before it ultimately dropped anchor at coordinates 55° 52' N 015° 12' E, just off the coast of Blekinge. The crew aboard the Mikhail Dudin has repeatedly postponed their scheduled repair timeline, raising further concerns. In response to this situation, the Swedish Navy has conducted an on-board inspection and interrogated the crew members, citing the ongoing international tensions and the rising number of incidents related to critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea region. Despite being located in international waters close to Swedish territorial limits, the Navy's actions are part of a coordinated effort with the Coast Guard, Swedish police, and NATO allies to ensure maritime security. Previously, the Mikhail Dudin has drawn scrutiny due to its involvement in transporting uranium between Russia and EU nations. As of October 1, 2025, the vessel has remained stationary at its anchorage, and the specifics of its current cargo are still undetermined.

Despite the ongoing sanctions stemming from Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Germany's gradual exit from nuclear energy, the nation continues its imports of nuclear fuel from Russia. The freighter 'Mikhail Dudin', identified by IMO number 9195909, left St. Petersburg on September 5, 2022, on a journey to Rotterdam, with an estimated arrival date of September 11. The vessel is transporting enriched uranium destined for the fuel element factory located in Lingen, Lower Saxony. As of the afternoon on September 7, the 'Mikhail Dudin' was navigating the Baltic Sea near Gotland, Sweden. The uranium is scheduled for further transport by road to Lingen, expected in the morning of September 12. To reach Rotterdam by the set date, the freighter has two possible routes: via the Kiel Canal or through Skagerrak. Given that 'Mikhail Dudin' has not traversed the canal in months and had not requested a pilot by the evening of September 7, the Skagerrak route appears more probable. The nuclear shipment is organized by JSC Tenex, a state-owned Russian company, fully owned by Rosatom, the Russian nuclear corporation. This particular permit for the transport is valid until the close of 2022, covering a total of 35 separate shipments. The responsibility for overseeing this transport was transferred to the Federal Office for the Safety of Nuclear Waste Management (BASE) by Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke. The recipient of this uranium hexafluoride is Advanced Nuclear Fuels (ANF), which manages the fuel element factory in Lingen and intends to continue supplying nuclear fuel for power plants across other EU countries until at least 2032. This facility is capable of processing several hundred tons of uranium each year and is part of a subsidiary under the French energy giant Électricité de France. A partnership with a branch of JSC Tenex was considered, but plans fell through in February for reasons yet to be disclosed. On September 7, a collective of international representatives from Germany, Russia, and the Netherlands urged the immediate cessation of this nuclear transport. This alliance advocates for the extension of the embargo to include nuclear fuels, which currently enjoy an exemption from the sanctions against Russia. Furthermore, the coalition demands closure of the fuel element factory in Lingen and the uranium enrichment facility in Gronau, North Rhine-Westphalia, which is operated by the British firm Urenco. Notably, the original shipment of uranium was intended for Gronau, but Urenco canceled the order in June, citing the ramifications of the conflict in Ukraine as the reason. However, ANF seems committed to fulfilling its order.

On November 13, 2020, a maritime incident occurred in the port of Fredrikstad involving the container vessel m/v 'Adilia I' and the cargo ship m/v 'Mikhail Dudin.' Fortunately, the collision resulted in no reported injuries or pollution in the surrounding area. In response to the event, the Portuguese maritime inspection office has begun the necessary notification protocols and is currently gathering evidence for further analysis. After the incident, the 'Mikhail Dudin' departed from Fredrikstad at 6:55 p.m., setting course for St. Petersburg, with an estimated arrival date of November 22. Meanwhile, the 'Adilia I' left port the following morning, on November 14, at 7:40 a.m., and is scheduled to arrive in Reykjavik on November 17.

On May 8, 2018, the cargo ship 'Mikhail Dudin' encountered regulatory issues and was detained while at the port of Ellesmere. During the inspection, authorities identified eight critical deficiencies, leading to a ground for detention. After addressing the issues, the vessel was cleared and released from its hold on May 11. Following its release, the 'Mikhail Dudin' proceeded to St. Petersburg, successfully docking on May 19.