Home
FacebookTwitterSearchMenu
  • Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • News
  • Features
  • Knowledge Library
  • Columns
  • Customs
  • Jobs
  • Directory
  • FX Rates
  • Categories
    • Categories
    • Africa
    • Air Freight
    • BEE
    • Border Beat
    • COVID-19
    • Crime
    • Customs
    • Domestic
    • Duty Calls
    • Economy
    • Employment
    • Energy/Fuel
    • Events
    • Freight & Trading Weekly
    • Imports and Exports
    • Infrastructure
    • International
    • Logistics
    • Other
    • People
    • Road/Rail Freight
    • Sea Freight
    • Skills & Training
    • Social Development
    • Sustainability
    • Technology
    • Trade/Investment
    • Webinars
  • Contact us
    • Contact us
    • About Us
    • Advertise
    • Send us news
    • Editorial Guidelines
Imports and Exports
Other
Sea Freight

Ukraine seizes cargo ship accused of looting grain

12 Jul 2024 - by Staff reporter
The USKO MFU which is suspected of smuggling grain out of Ukraine. Source: Vesselfinder
0 Comments

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google+
  • LinkedIn
  • E-mail
  • Print

A Turkish-owned cargo ship was seized at the Port of Reni and its captain was detained on charges that the vessel was used by Russia to illegally export Ukrainian grain from occupied Crimea.

According to the State Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the USKO MFU general cargo carrier, sailing under the Cameroonian flag, entered and exited the Port of Sevastopol in Crimea on multiple occasions between November 2023 and May this year.

During these visits, the ship was loaded with over 3000 tonnes of Ukrainian grain, which Ukrainian prosecutors allege was then sold for the benefit of Russia.

"While in Sevastopol the cargo ship was loaded with more than 3000 tonnes of grain for delivery to a Turkish company," Ukrainian prosecutors stated.

The SBU has accused the ship and its crew of executing orders from the Russian Federation to remove the Ukrainian grain stored in occupied Crimea.

This seizure comes amidst ongoing tensions over grain exports from Ukraine.

In 2023, Ukraine and Russia reached a deal, brokered by Turkey and the United Nations, to allow the export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea.

However, Ukraine has accused Russia of continuing to loot grain from occupied areas.

The detention of the USKO MFU and its captain represents Ukraine's latest effort to prevent the illegal export of its agricultural products from Russian-occupied territories.

Ukrainian authorities have stated they will continue to take action against any vessels suspected of involvement in such activities.

Sign up to our mailing list and get daily news headlines and weekly features directly to your inbox free.
Subscribe to receive print copies of Freight News Features to your door.

Transport evolution: a driver of international economic growth

Infrastructure
Logistics
Technology
Trade/Investment

John Rammutla of WSP points out that even the best-laid plans can fail without funding.

19 Jun 2025
0 Comments

MSC consortium in race against time to land MK Hutchison deal

Logistics
Trade/Investment

The acquisition will exclude operations in Hong Kong, although Hutchison’s HQ is located in the city state.

19 Jun 2025
0 Comments

Gauteng pothole mobile app speeds up repairs

Road/Rail Freight
Technology

Road maintenance is gaining ground as the public embrace the application to report potholes.

19 Jun 2025
0 Comments

DFFE installs new harbour signage in Western Cape

Infrastructure
Logistics

The initiative is part of a plan to revitalise infrastructure and boost coastal economic activity.

19 Jun 2025
0 Comments

Tankers on fire after Iran-Israel signal-jamming collision

Sea Freight
18 Jun 2025
0 Comments

Box ship blaze ‘partially contained’ – more than a week later

Sea Freight

The fire erupted following an explosion in one of the containers on the vessel.

18 Jun 2025
0 Comments

Increased tech vigilance necessary to prevent on-board infernos

Sea Freight
Technology

According to DNV, the number of maritime safety incidents increased by 42% since 2018.

18 Jun 2025
0 Comments

India intensifies legal action over ship fire incidents

Sea Freight

The directive follows a complaint lodged by a local trading company over cargo losses.

18 Jun 2025
0 Comments

Shipping industry backs ocean monitoring drive

Sea Freight

Some 10 000 ships will collect weather and ocean surface data as part of a new global initiative.

18 Jun 2025
0 Comments

IMO chief calls for action after UN Ocean Conference

Sea Freight

Biofouling, marine plastic litter and underwater radiated noise control came under the spotlight at the event.

18 Jun 2025
0 Comments

Sars clamps down on illegal fuel trade

Crime
Energy/Fuel

Adulterated fuel containing 68% paraffin has been detected during investigations.

18 Jun 2025
0 Comments

Trade and geopolitics on a knife edge amid Middle East conflict

Imports and Exports
Trade/Investment

It is important that Ramaphosa leaves the G7 discussions with a constructive outcome.

17 Jun 2025
0 Comments
  • More

FeatureClick to view

Botswana 20 June 2025

Border Beat

Police clamp down on cross-border crime
17 Jun 2025
Zim's anti-smuggling measures delay legitimate freight operations
06 Jun 2025
Cross-border payments remain a hurdle – Masondo
30 May 2025
More

Poll

Has South Africa's ports turned the corner?

Featured Jobs

New

Senior Sea/Air Import/Export Controller (Multimodal Controller) Strong on Imports

Tiger Recruitment
East Rand
20 Jun
More Jobs
  • © Now Media
  • Privacy Policy
  • Freight News RSS
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Send us news
  • Contact us