Working Conditions Aboard the Vladimir-Latyshev

The bulk carrier 'Vladimir Latyshev', which has been immobilized at the port of Saint-Malo since March 2022 due to European sanctions imposed on Russia, is set to be auctioned off soon. The upcoming auction, mandated by judicial authorities, is anticipated to take place in early autumn. On May 5, 2026, a bailiff officially notified the port of Saint-Malo, initiating preparations for the sale of the stranded vessel. The ship's owner, Russian company Alpha LLC, ceased payment of expenses owed to the local firm Timac Agro in February 2025. Additionally, a court ruling on December 16 determined that Alpha LLC must fulfill outstanding financial obligations totaling €125,960.

The Russian vessel 'Vladimir Latyshev' has been docked in Saint-Malo for nearly four years, prompting escalating financial concerns. Impounded on February 28, 2022, shortly after Russia began its military actions in Ukraine, the ship is subject to EU sanctions that freeze Russian assets, leading to a significant economic burden on local authorities. The vessel currently has six sailors on board, who infrequently go ashore and are replaced approximately every six months. Since 2026, the ship's Russian owner has fallen behind on payments, accumulating a staggering debt estimated at €200,000. This situation has placed the port of Saint-Malo, owned by the Brittany region, in a difficult position as it bears the ongoing costs of maintenance, utilities, and provisions for the ship. Monthly expenses have reached around €25,000, broken down as follows: €8,000 for electricity, €11,500 for mooring, and approximately €300 for water. Additional costs related to logistics and ongoing maintenance further complicate the financial picture. The living conditions for the crew have raised concerns as well. Without sufficient funds, there is a risk that fuel and food supplies could run low. Laure Tallonneau, an inspector from the CGT-Transport union in the Greater West, has made regular visits to the vessel. She has called for the immediate repatriation of the crew, who are experiencing both legal and physical hardship—adequately supplied for survival but deprived of a normal life on board. Inadequate power supply could also lead to safety risks if the vessel's technical systems fail. Legally, there are two potential courses of action: the state could either formalize the ship's seizure to facilitate a sale that would satisfy creditors, or relevant authorities might consider relaxing the seizure measures to allow for relocation or release of the vessel. Both options present complexities regarding ownership, sanction legality, and creditor rights, and any release might be misinterpreted as a political statement. Compounding the situation, another ship owned by the same entity has remained stranded in Marseille for three years. The prolonged blockade raises the stakes in terms of escalating costs and systemic risks to people and infrastructure. For French and European leaders, maintaining credibility is essential; sanctions must be legally robust as well as practical. Ensuring the well-being of the crew and equitably distributing costs between state and regional entities, paired with the establishment of a clear legal process, are vital. In the medium to long term, there is an urgent need for a standardized European protocol for managing impounded vessels that minimizes unforeseen costs and guarantees humane conditions. A timely and decisive action—whether it be the relocation, disposal, or state assumption of the 'Vladimir Latyshev'—could significantly reduce financial burdens, mitigate risks, and enhance public trust in governmental capabilities. Read the full report with photo here: https://s-bahn.hamburg/bretagne-schlaegt-alarm-russisches-schiff-liegt-am-kai-fest-wird-zur-teuren-kostenfalle.html

The owner of the Russian cargo ship 'Vladimir Latyshev', currently stranded in Saint-Malo, is confronted with a pressing financial obligation. The vessel has been immobilized in the port for over three years due to the freezing of Russian assets, and the mounting debts must now be addressed to avoid the potential sale of the ship. On December 16, the Saint-Malo Commercial Court (Ille-et-Vilaine) mandated that Alpha LLC, the Russian company owning the vessel, pay €125,960 to Timac Agro, a local fertilizer manufacturer. Timac Agro acted as an intermediary for the cargo intended for the ship and had been covering the necessary expenses for its maintenance and crew from March 2022 until August 2025. This included costs for fuel, electricity, port fees, and provisions for the sailors. Since February 2025, however, the owner has failed to reimburse Timac Agro for these essential expenses. Recently, on November 17, Alpha LLC made a partial payment of €30,000 against a total claim of approximately €156,000. Should the owner neglect to clear the outstanding debt, the 'Vladimir Latyshev' might head to auction. Following its unloading of a Timac Agro cargo on March 1, 2022, the ship was seized under administrative detention by the National Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigations due to sanctions related to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Any potential auction would require the sale price to surpass the current debts owed. Financial estimates place the vessel's worth between 15 and 20 million euros, as noted by David Lebec, financial director at the shipping agency AFCC, which also holds a claim on a similar vessel, the 'Victor Andryukhin', presently held in Marseille under European sanctions. The appeal window for this judgment extends from one to three months following notification to the involved parties.

The ongoing legal battle between Timac Agro and Alpha LCC, the owner of the vessel 'Vladimir Latyshev', is on the verge of resolution as the Saint-Malo Commercial Court in Ille-et-Vilaine prepares to announce its decision. The court session took place on November 18, addressing issues that have arisen from the ship's detention in Saint-Malo since the onset of the conflict in Ukraine. Initial court proceedings, commencing with a summons on October 14, raised concerns regarding the Russian shipowner's willingness to engage with French legal authorities. At a prior hearing, representation was limited to the ship's captain, who lacked an interpreter. However, in a decisive turn, Alpha LCC secured legal representation right before the latest court session. Timac Agro, a subsidiary of the Roullier Group, has acted as a crucial intermediary between the shipowner, the port authorities, and the crew, fulfilling its role as the consignee of the 'Vladimir Latyshev's cargo during its enforced stopover linked to EU sanctions against Russia. Previously, Alpha LLC had been making payments to French entities to support the crew with essentials, including food and fuel, while also covering operational expenses. However, on September 1, Timac Agro notified French authorities of its decision to terminate its agency agreement, citing several months of outstanding invoices. The total debt owed by Alpha LLC to Timac Agro stands at approximately €156,000, with a recent payment of €30,000 made. Additionally, the Russian company has accrued shipping fees exceeding €70,000 owed to the region, compounding its financial obligations. The Commercial Court is expected to deliver its verdict on December 16.

In Saint-Malo, France, a pivotal hearing is set to take place concerning the financial dispute between Timac Agro and the owner of the bulk carrier 'Vladimir Latyshev' at the Commercial Court. The legal proceedings revolve around unpaid invoices totaling around €150,000, and the next session is scheduled for November 18. This hearing will also have significant implications for the future of the 'Vladimir Latyshev' and its crew. Timac Agro, a branch of the Roulier group, has initiated legal actions to recover several months of overdue payments from Alpha LLC, the operator of the Russian vessel. This sum, estimated at approximately €150,000, has raised urgent concerns as the automation of the vessel's operations remains in question. During the initial session, which was slated for October 14, the court heard representations from the captain of the 'Vladimir Latyshev,' who notably appeared without an interpreter. Consequently, the court adjourned the hearing, disappointing Timac Agro's legal representatives, who emphasize that the matter is urgent given the vessel's lack of insurance and supplies. Until recently, Alpha LLC successfully managed to transfer funds to France for the essential provisions needed by the crew, with Timac Agro acting as a liaison among the shipowner, the port, and the sailors. However, on September 1, the Saint-Malo firm communicated to the French authorities its withdrawal from its role as the port agent due to ongoing unpaid invoices, complicating the situation further.

The situation is escalating around the stranded Russian vessel 'Vladimir Latyshev' moored in Saint-Malo, which mirrors the plight of the m/v 'Victor Andryukhin' in Marseille. Currently facing financial difficulties and lacking insurance, the 'Vladimir Latyshev' is at the center of tensions between the Brittany Region, the port's owner, and the French government, which implemented the sanctions that have left the ship immobilized since 2022. Since last summer, the ship's owner, Alpha LLC, has ceased to fulfill its financial obligations, leading to a notable increase in concern regarding the vessel's status. The crew, comprising six sailors, alternates aboard the ship every six months, further complicating the situation. With indications pointing to the vessel being effectively abandoned, port authorities are advocating for its relocation to a state-owned facility.

The concerns surrounding the 'Vladimir Latyshev' are escalating as the ship has been stuck in the port of Saint-Malo for over 3.5 years. The situation has worsened, with the vessel's local port agent severing ties due to unpaid dues from the shipowner. This maritime plight began soon after the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, leading to the ship's immobilization. Since then, it has been relocated among the various docks in the port to accommodate operational needs. Previously, the port agent handled the essential provision of supplies for the onboard crew. As the Brittany region authorities call for the ship to be moved to a state-owned port, fears of abandonment loom heavily on the minds of Saint-Malo's port authorities (Ille-et-Vilaine), as this outcome would represent their worst-case scenario.

The cargo vessel 'Vladimir Latyshev' has been immobilized in the picturesque port of Saint-Malo for nearly three years, caught in the crosshairs of the geopolitical tensions ignited by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. With seven crew members aboard, the ship has become a symbol of economic sanctions as Russian assets have been frozen in response to the ongoing conflict. While the crew is comfortably supplied with diesel and does not face shortages, the critical financial support from the ship's owner, Russian firm LLC Alpha, has been absent for several months. The company is responsible for covering estimated costs of around €150,000 monthly, which includes diesel and crew expenses, yet the funds have not arrived. Despite their challenging circumstances, the dedicated crew continues to maintain the operations of the 'Vladimir Latyshev', ensuring that the vessel remains in good condition while awaiting resolution. For additional insights and images, please visit: https://actu.fr/bretagne/saint-malo_35288/un-navire-bloque-depuis-3-ans-dans-un-port-breton-cest-un-jour-sans-fin_62213360.html

The 'Vladimir Latyshev', a Russian cargo vessel, has been marooned in the port of Saint-Malo since March 2022, having arrived to deliver a shipment of magnesia. As the fuel supply dwindles, the ship's situation has escalated into a critical concern. A crew of Russian sailors remains on board, taking turns to perform essential maintenance and executing maneuvers ordered by the harbor master's office to ensure the port remains operational. Fuel is crucial for sustaining necessary onboard functions, including heating, refrigeration, and fire safety systems. Unfortunately, since the start of 2024, the harbor master has ceased receiving the necessary payments to secure fuel supplies. While Russia has historically covered these costs, French authorities have blocked bookings in response to sanctions following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Without access to diesel, power will fail, forcing the crew to abandon the vessel for their own safety, leaving the 'Vladimir Latyshev' at risk of becoming a ghost ship. To avert this dire outcome, the local group Mor Glaz is advocating for France to take action to support the ship's operational needs. Meanwhile, the crew continues to receive provisions thanks to prior advances, although the accumulating debt now stands at an estimated 150,000 Euros.

A significant financial dispute has emerged as a company claims €600,000 from the owner of the 'Vladimir Latyshev,' which was detained in Saint-Malo on March 1, 2022, amid escalating tensions from the onset of the Russian conflict in Ukraine. The vessel was originally en route to deliver steel coils to Algiers when it was immobilized. The Saint-Malo commercial court is set to address the case on April 16, 2024, focusing on the intricacies of the financial arrangements involving the buyer of the goods onboard at the time of detention, alongside the two Russian entities associated with the ship’s ownership and operation.