The Panormitis Returns to Port
After being turned away by both Turkey and Israel, the Russian-flagged ship Panormitis has sailed back to the port of Kavkaz, still carrying a cargo believed to be grain stolen from Ukraine. According to Kateryna Yaresko, a journalist with the SeaKrime project, the vessel never actually crossed into Ukrainian waters because the grain was transferred from other ships that had docked at ports in Ukraine’s temporarily occupied territories.
On April 25, 2026, SeaKrime reported that the Panormitis was heading to Haifa, Israel, with a load taken from occupied Berdiansk. However, an Israeli agricultural trader refused to accept the shipment, leading to a failed unloading attempt in İskenderun, Turkey. After that, the vessel continued toward Turkey but ultimately reversed course and is now anchored in Russian territorial waters near the port of Kavkaz.
Grain Looting from Occupied Regions
Data indicates that the ship Leonid Pestrikov delivered over 6,000 tons of barley and nearly 1,000 tons of wheat to the Panormitis—all sourced from Berdiansk. Kateryna Yaresko noted that
“the saga is over, though disputes between the seller, shipowner, and other parties to this failed criminal scheme are likely ongoing.”She also highlighted the widespread theft of grain from occupied Ukrainian territories, stressing that
“the shipping business must understand this is a war crime being investigated in Ukraine, and those responsible will be held accountable.”
The vessel’s return to the Black Sea suggests that the compromised grain shipment may be redirected to another buyer, raising further concerns about ongoing operations involving stolen grain. The Panormitis (IMO 9445021) will remain under scrutiny as the situation surrounding grain exports from occupied territories stays volatile and demands continued monitoring. This incident underscores the need for strict oversight of maritime traffic during conflict and the importance of international cooperation in preventing crimes related to agricultural theft.