Italian financial authorities have detained a cargo ship in the port of Brindisi on suspicion of violating European Union sanctions targeting Russia, according to ANSA on January 17.
The vessel, flying the flag of a small Pacific island nation—reportedly Tuvalu—was carrying more than 33,000 metric tons of black metal when it entered Brindisi. The Italian Financial Police launched an inspection upon arrival, prompted by irregularities detected in the ship’s import declaration.
Though authorities did not officially name the vessel, Opinion Agency reported that tracking data strongly suggest it was the HIZIR REIS, a bulk carrier owned by Turkey’s Emiroglu Shipping. The ship is the only cargo vessel in port that matches the description seen in footage released by Italian authorities, including the flag of Tuvalu and the vessel’s external features.
Analysis of onboard documentation and navigational data—specifically from the ship’s Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS)—revealed the vessel had docked in the Russian port of Novorossiysk from November 13 to 16, 2025. During that time, it allegedly conducted prohibited loading operations in violation of EU sanctions.
Authorities also discovered that the ship’s Automatic Identification System (AIS)—used for real-time tracking—was deactivated while it was near Novorossiysk, likely in an attempt to conceal its location and avoid detection.
Further analysis, including satellite data and maritime records from Lloyd’s S&P Global Maritime, confirmed the discrepancies between the declared itinerary and the vessel’s actual movements. Italian customs and financial enforcement officials concluded that documents had been falsified and key port calls had been omitted.
The seizure was authorized by an investigating magistrate in Brindisi and upheld by the regional appeals court. Four individuals—identified as the importing company, the shipowner, and two crew members—are currently under investigation for attempting to circumvent EU restrictive measures introduced in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Italian police stated that the ship’s declared documentation showed “serious inconsistencies, falsifications, and alterations” related to both the cargo’s origin and the vessel’s port activity. Authorities were able to reconstruct the ship’s route and its sanctioned operations despite “deceptive declarations by the ship’s captain and attempts to obstruct the investigation.”
Earlier, The Times reported that the UK is considering a plan to redirect proceeds from seized Russian shadow fleet oil toward funding Ukraine’s defense. The proposal, which involves potential boarding operations by British special forces, targets vessels like Spring Fortune and Range Vale—both sailing under false flags and previously sanctioned for links to Russia’s war economy.
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