Russia Re-Flags Ship Suspected of Carrying Arms to Syria
A Russian cargo ship that was prevented from sailing to Syria last week has been refitted with a Russian flag.
Last week U.S. officials suspected the then Curacao-flagged MV Alaed of carrying arms to Syria, prompting the UK’s Standard Club to withdrawal insurance coverage. The withdrawal forced the MV Alaed to return to port. Russia’s foreign minister, Sergi Lavrov, admitted last week that the ship was carrying defense systems, but that they were only to be used for repelling foreign aggression and not to be used against peaceful protestors. He also said the ship is carrying three attack helicopters belonging to al-Assad that underwent repair work in Russia – an arrangement Russia says was made prior to the uproar of violence in Syria.
The ship’s manager, Russia based Femco, refused to comment on the contents of the cargo, but said the ship returned to the northern port of Murmansk on Sunday where it was awaiting further instructions.
Russian military sources have reported that the MV Alaed will again attempt to call on Syria, this time under the patrol of the Russia Navy.
On Sunday, Femco announced “in these circumstances, and in order to protect its interests, safety of the vessel and to secure proper protection of the crew onboard – all Russia citizens- Femco company decided to transfer the vessel under the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation and in the port of Murmansk the flag of the vessel will be changed to Russian.” (Read the full statement here)
Femco also announced that long term business associate United Nordic Shipping terminated all business relations at the request of the Danish secret service and other long term partners such as Moore Stephens had also terminated all ties, based on what Femco calls “political speculation, manipulations of secret services and unfair statements of several journalists, with the distortion of facts.”
The statement also said the ship will discharge at Vladivostok in accordance with legally issued bills of lading, giving no mention of Syria.
Syria remains one of Russia’s main allies in the Middle East and a major weapons customer.
MV Alaed docked in port of Murmansk (photo credit: Femco)