Mikhail-Nenashev Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

The bulk carrier 'Mikhail Nenashev' is part of a growing fleet of approximately 10 ships involved in the controversial grain transport routes originating from occupied regions of Ukraine. These Russian-flagged vessels are increasingly seen loading agricultural exports from Crimea and other seized territories, primarily destined for Iran. The majority of this grain is sourced from Mariupol, Berdiansk, and the Azov Sea area, despite being subject to extensive sanctions imposed by Western nations, which do not apply to Russian-descended grain. Grain transfer operations often occur on a clandestine basis—some shipments go directly to Iran, while others make use of smaller craft for ship-to-ship transfers in the Kerch Strait between Crimea and Russia. This method of transshipment highlights the potential circumvention of sanctions, as Russian forces frequently target Ukrainian export terminals in Izmail and Neri. Simultaneously, grain smuggling operations have emerged from Sevastopol. During a recent voyage, the 'Mikhail Nenashev' was tracked while heading toward the Russian port of Kavkaz, where its AIS signal vanished near an anchorage south of Crimea. Days later, satellite imagery captured a nearly identical ship loading at the Avlita terminal in Odesa. Subsequent footage showed the vessel navigating through the Bosphorus, ultimately seen at the port of Bandar Khomeni with hatches open, indicative of grain storage. There are recorded instances where the AIS systems of these bulk carriers disappeared north of Cyprus, only to reactivate weeks later as they cruised in the northern Black Sea. Alongside the 'Mikhail Nenashev', other bulk carriers like 'Matros Shevchenko', 'Matros Koshka', and 'Matros Pozynich' have also been identified making similar hauls, with destinations extending towards Syria and Iran. Notably, Turkish ports were also recipients of these supplies during the initial year of the ongoing conflict instigated by Putin. Initially departing solely from Sevastopol, these vessels are now setting sail from various ports including Feodosia, Mariupol, Berdjansk, and Kerch, with Syrian ships frequently sighted at Sevastopol's grain terminals.

In a significant move, Ukraine has formally requested Turkey's assistance in probing three Russian-flagged vessels – the 'Mikhail Nenashev', 'Matros Pozynich', and 'Matros Koshka' – amidst allegations of grain theft from territories occupied by Russian forces. The appeal was made through a letter dated June 13, 2022, sent by Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office to the Turkish Ministry of Justice. This request aims to investigate the ships suspected of transporting stolen grain from recently seized Ukrainian regions, including Kherson. The correspondence highlighted that these vessels departed from Crimea's principal grain terminal located in Sevastopol during April and May. Ukraine has urged Ankara to gather relevant documentation concerning the ships' cargo and their subsequent arrivals at Turkish ports. Notably, these vessels are owned by a subsidiary of the United Shipbuilding Corporation, a Russian state-owned entity currently facing Western sanctions. Should investigations reveal that the United Shipbuilding Corporation facilitated the transport of grain illicitly sourced from occupied Ukrainian lands, this would further underline the involvement of Russian state-owned companies in the trade of what Ukraine categorizes as stolen goods. Kyiv has consistently accused Russia of unlawfully appropriating grain since the onset of the invasion in February, while Moscow has firmly refuted these allegations.

The Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) has highlighted a concerning trend with three separate armed robbery incidents occurring in the Singapore Strait. These events unfolded over the weekend of November 7 and 8, 2020, specifically in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS). Notably, the incidents transpired within a mere six-hour timeframe and were located in close proximity to one another. In each case, the crew members did not encounter any direct confrontation with the assailants. Reportedly, two of the incidents involved the theft of ship equipment, including a lifebuoy, while no items were reported stolen in the remaining incident. The vessels affected in this series of robberies include the 'Zeno', 'Lefkada', and 'Atlantic Diana'. This pattern raises alarms about maritime security in this vital shipping corridor.