Crimea to Syria route closed after Assad regime falls
Two Russian ships that regularly ferry cargo between occupied Crimea and Syria have stopped mid-route since Syria’s leader Bashar al-Assad was ousted
Russia may have suspended wheat shipments, but satellite and vessel-tracking data shows the Syrian ports are open and vessels are waiting to discharge
RUSSIA-FLAGGED bulk carriers almost exclusively engaged in exporting grain from occupied Crimea have yet to unload on their most recent voyages after the Assad regime was toppled by opposition forces.
Mikhail Nenashev (IMO: 9515539) and Matros Pozynich (IMO: 9573816) loaded in Sevastopol and were sailing for Syria when President Bashar al-Assad was ousted on December 8.
As with past voyages Mikhail Nenashev disabled its Automatic Identification System data on December 4 just east of Cyprus and on the approach to Syria’s coast.
The large handy reappeared on December 8 near Famagusta, Cyprus and has been waiting in this area since.
Matros Pozynich went “dark”, sailing with its AIS disabled, on December 8 west of Cyprus. It reappeared briefly on December 13 not far from its most recent transmission but has not been traced with AIS since.
There is no indication that either vessel has unloaded its cargo.
Russian sources told Reuters that wheat supplies to Syria were suspended when the Syrian rebels took power.
It is possible that Russia is using grain shipments as leverage to help secure a deal to keep its naval base in Tartus.
“Syria needs grain for consumption and Russia needs somewhere to dump wheat from the occupied territories, so a short-term agreement is likely after this period of disruption,” said Bosphorus Observer geopolitical consultant Yörük Işik.
Syria is one of the top destinations for grain exported from Ukrainian ports occupied by Russia.
It is difficult to assess trade flows into and out of Syria given that dark activity is a staple of the country’s maritime trade.
AIS data picks up an average of 17 calls each month.
There have been three traceable arrivals, vessels calling with AIS enabled, between December 8 and 19, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence data.
General cargoship Med Urla (IMO: 9160920) arrived in Latakia on December 15 from Beirut, Lebanon.
Tanzania-flagged general cargoship Omorfi (IMO: 7900091) berthed in Tartus on December 17 having sailed from Constanta, Romania.
Michel A. (IMO: 9379349), a Malta-flagged containership, arrived in Latakia on December 19.
Satellite imagery reviewed by Lloyd’s List shows eight vessels waiting in Tartus anchorage on December 19.
