MAIA-1

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Sanctioned Russian freighter sailing behind convoy from Syria

The 'Maia-1', a ship under EU sanctions for transporting thousands of artillery shells from North Korea to Russia, was spotted behind a convoy of four other ships off the British coast on March 17. The ship was just hours behind the 'Sparta IV' and 'Siyanie Severa', which were transporting weapons from Syria to support Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine. The ships were escorted by the the 'Severomorsk', a heavily armed Russian destroyer, and the 'Alexandr Shabalin', a landing ship. The 'Maia-1' was carrying parts, partly concealed under large tarpaulins, that are believed to be used for a Russian liquefied natural gas terminal, a project that the UK has rejected. The convoy was one of the largest convoys to enter British and French territorial waters since the start of the war in Ukraine. It was also the first time that the Kremlin has sent an arms dealer directly involved in the arms trade with North Korea through the Channel. The 'Maia-1' is one of more than 20 ships owned by a company that is subject to sanctions by the UK, the European Union and the United States. In January, the ship left the Pacific for the first time since Russia invaded Ukraine three years ago, carrying cargo bound for St. Petersburg. The long route saw her load cargo in China, sail through the Suez Canal and pass through the Strait of Gibraltar before passing through the English Channel, was seen by analysts as a major challenge to the European sanctions regime. The British Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force (RAF) kept a close eye on the Russian vessels. The convoy was intercepted near Folkestone and Dover. The British also received support from a Belgian navy ship, the ‘Castor’. Report with photos: https://www.hln.be/buitenland/grootste-russische-wapenkonvooi-sinds-het-begin-van-de-oorlog-vaart-door-britse-wateren-belgisch-schip-houdt-het-mee-in-de-gaten~ac7f062c/?referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F

Sanctioned Russian munition carrier entered European waters

On Feb 19, 2025, the munitions carrier 'Maia 1' has passed the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean Sea, as it was likely heading for the Russian port of Ust-Luga. This would mark the first time that the Russian-flagged vessel, sanctioned by the U.S. and the EU, entered European waters. The 'Maia 1' is owned by the sanctioned MG-Flot company and has made at least nine voyages to North Korea in the past five months, which has become Moscow's leading supporter in its war against Ukraine, providing artillery, shells, ballistic missiles, and over up to 12,000 soldiers for deployment in Russia's Kursk Oblast.

Russian freighter released

The Kerala High Court on July 20 ordered the release of the 'Maia I', which had been detained for non-payment of fuel charges to an Estonian firm. The court withdrew its order for the arrest and detention of the vessel that carried arms for the Indian Navy, following the settlement of disputes between the supplier of fuel and the vessel over fuel charge payment. The owner of the vessel and the company that filed the lawsuit held talks and settled the issues that arose. The company then appealed to the High Court of Kerala and withdrew its claim. The court decided to release the vessel from arrest, close the case and let the vessel leave the port. As of July 22, it remained moored off Kochi.