The Monte-Bianco: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

Three cargo vessels hailing from Syria—the 'Bayeze D' (formerly known as 'Finikia'), 'Monte Rosa' (previously 'Laodicea', IMO 9274343), and 'San Damian' (formerly 'Souria', IMO 9274331)—are under scrutiny for their suspected involvement in trafficking grain pilfered from areas of Ukraine currently under Russian control. Recent investigations have uncovered documents suggesting that the Seychelles-based company operating these vessels may serve as a front for the regime of the ousted dictator, Bashar Al-Assad. For over a decade, these ships were part of Syria’s General Authority for Maritime Transport, a governmental body linked to Assad’s administration. Notably, in August 2015, the U.S. imposed sanctions on these freighters due to their role in supporting the Syrian regime's violent actions during the ongoing civil conflict. In April 2023, the Syrian General Authority for Maritime Transport transferred ownership of the 'Finikia' and 'Souria' to AlHouda Holding, a Seychelles firm established in January 2019, for a mere $1 each. The third vessel, 'Laodicea', was also sold to the same company around that time. The European Union has since placed sanctions on these ships, adding to their growing global scrutiny. Although the identity of AlHouda's owner remains undisclosed, the company's director holds significant shares in an entity recognized by the EU as a front for the Assad dynasty. Additionally, management of these vessels has been linked to Taher Kayali, a businessman under sanctions for alleged maritime trafficking involving the narcotic Captagon. In a notable development, the ships were recently sanctioned by the European Union for their connections to Russia's so-called shadow fleet. Earlier this year, in June, the U.S. Treasury Department lifted sanctions on several Syrian entities and individuals, marking a shift following the ousting of Assad's government. Since being sold in 2023, these cargo vessels have been maneuvering through trade routes marked by significant obfuscation, employing various aliases, falsely representing their country of registration, and frequently disabling their AIS signals. Ukrainian authorities have accused all three vessels of being part of a fleet implicated in the expropriation of approximately 15 million tons of Ukrainian grain since Russia’s invasion in 2022.