A BULK carrier directly controlled by the Russian government and sailing from the occupied port of Sevastopol has been loaded with four containers, a highly unusual move that security experts find concerning.

Russia-flagged large handy Matros Pozynich (IMO: 9573816) loaded at the Crimean port in mid-September during a month-long gap in its Automatic Identification System transmissions.

A satellite image captured after Matros Pozynich finished loading shows four boxes on its deck, which is confirmed by pictures of the vessel transiting the Bosporus.

It is possible for bulk carriers to carry containers.

There were instances of bulkers being chartered to carry boxes during the lockdown era as a workaround to tied-up capacity.

However, it is largely unheard of outside of this example as these vessels are not designed for this purpose.

According to Lloyd’s List analysis, this is the first time a member of the bulk carrier fleet that exports grain from occupied territories has been loaded with cargo other than grain.

It is not possible to confirm what the boxes contain, but security experts suspect the cargo to be military-related.

“Based on the vessel’s previous pattern of life with state-linked diversion of spoils of war, Matros Pozynich is almost certainly under direct control of the Russian Federation and increases the likelihood of it being used for diverting materiel in this current voyage,” said Taimur Khan, head of gulf operations at Conflict Armament Research.

According to Lloyd’s List Intelligence and public ownership databases, Matros Pozynich is owned by Astrakhan-based Crane Marine Contractor, a company the Russian government is suspected of having a direct interest in.

Moscow has a history of employing civilian ships to support the government in military affairs.

“It is likely that whatever is in those boxes is important enough that the Russians do not trust it on just any regular commercial ship,” said Bosphorus Observer geopolitical consultant Yörük Işik.

“Russia used to use landing ships to supply military logistics to Syria, but between the losses of these ships and implementation of the Montreux convention, this is no longer possible.”

Russia’s defence ministry employs a small fleet of ro-ros and general cargoships to help move materials and supplies, but these ships are otherwise engaged.

“Moscow’s engagement with places like Syria doesn’t change just because they’ve lost their warships,” Işik said.

“They will deceptively use ships that look like civilian vessels and will employ dangerous or other unusual maritime activities to move military cargo.”

Matros Pozynich has not transmitted an AIS signal since September 28.

It was last seen north of Cyprus heading east.

It is likely waiting to unload at a port in Syria, which is its usual destination.

The ultimate destination of the boxes is another aspect worrying geopolitical analysts.

The Wall Street Journal and Reuters have reported discussions between Russia and the Iran-backed Houthis on potential missile transfers.

These reports remain unconfirmed, but a closer relationship between the Houthis and Russians is a distinct possibility.

“I believe there is a shift to some degree from the main focus being on Iran to Russia because the Iranians do not love chaos, but the Russians do. In that sense, the Houthis may find a more amenable partner in Russia,” argued Ian Ralby, chief executive of consultants IR Consilium.

“These rumours of hypersonic missiles certainly track with Houthi interests, and Russia might even see great value in using the Houthis for field testing of weaponry.”

Once the boxes have been unloaded from Matros Pozynich they will be impossible to trace.