Ukrainian authorities detained Panama-flagged, UAE-owned bulk carrier Emmakris III (IMO
9218387) in the port of Chornomorsk, near Odesa on the Black sea, following a decision by a Kyiv Court. The ship arrived at Chornomorsk in February prior to the Russian invasion. It loaded about 60,000 tonnes of grain that had already been bought by the Egyptian government. However, it then became locked into the port, due to a sea blockade.
Meanwhile, the vessel’s sibling ship Emmakris II (IMO 9254575) also operated by Dubai-based MCF Shipping DMCC, was spotted in Sevastopol, in Crimea, at the end of June, loading grain that was alleged to have been stolen from Ukraine.
The ship left Kerch Strait anchorage on July 7th, destination Umm Qasr, Iraq, ETA July 25th. As of the evening of July 29th it was sailing in the Gulf of Oman, off Fujairah, heading for Strait of Hormuz.
Both bulk carriers were owned and operated from 2016 until 2019 by a Russian company, Linter LLC, based in Rostov-on-Don.
2000-built, Panama-flagged, 38,392 gt Emmakris III is owned by Greater Bloom Ltd care of MCF Shipping DMCC of Dubai, UAE. As of the morning of July 31st it remained in Chornomorsk.
2002-built, Panama-flagged, 39,736 gt Emmakris II has the same ownership and management. No AIS since July 22nd.
