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Italian financial authorities have detained a cargo ship in the port of Brindisi on suspicion of violating European Union sanctions targeting Russia, according to ANSA on January 17.
The vessel, flying the flag of a small Pacific island nation—reportedly Tuvalu—was carrying more than 33,000 metric tons of black metal when it entered Brindisi. The Italian Financial Police launched an inspection upon arrival, prompted by irregularities detected in the ship’s import declaration.Though authorities did not officially name the vessel, Opinion Agency reported that tracking data strongly suggest it was the HIZIR REIS, a bulk carrier owned by Turkey’s Emiroglu Shipping. The ship is the only cargo vessel in port that matches the description seen in footage released by Italian authorities, including the flag of Tuvalu and the vessel’s external features.
Analysis of onboard documentation and navigational data—specifically from the ship’s Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS)—revealed the vessel had docked in the Russian port of Novorossiysk from November 13 to 16, 2025. During that time, it allegedly conducted prohibited loading operations in violation of EU sanctions.
Authorities also discovered that the ship’s Automatic Identification System (AIS)—used for real-time tracking—was deactivated while it was near Novorossiysk, likely in an attempt to conceal its location and avoid detection.
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