According to an investigation by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Ukrainian journalist Kateryna Yaresko, Russian cargo ships carrying military equipment from Syria have been fueled in Hurd’s Bank and off the Maltese coastal waters. These claims are verified by vessel finder maps and software that show that the Russian ships turned off their transponder when they stopped for fueling in Hurd’s Bank. The Russian cargo ships are SPARTA, SPARTA II, and SPARTA IV.
It is general practice for ships being refueled at Hurd’s Bank to turn off their transponders. Maltese authorities are well aware of this situation.
The Russian cargo ships were in the port Tartus, Syria in late January and re-fueled off the Maltese coastal waters in early February with SPARTA in particular being refueled in Hurd’s Bank on February 4th. The ships have loaded military cargo from Syria and transported it back to Russia.
A recent investigation by the Untied Nations Security Council highlighted Hurd’s Bank as a centre for Libyan fuel smuggling activity. Companies based in Malta are also accused of being part of this practice.
Photo of Sparta IV from Marine Traffic.
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