Italian financial authorities have detained a bulk carrier in the port of Brindisi on suspicion of violating European Union sanctions targeting Russia, according to Italian finance police Guardia di Finanza.

The vessel, carrying around 33,000 tonnes of ferrous metal, has been detained in the port of Brindisi.

The seizure relates to restrictive measures adopted after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Court approved the seizure of both the vessel and its cargo.

The Italian financial police launched an inspection upon arrival, prompted by irregularities detected in the ship’s import declaration.

According to the police, inspections uncovered “serious inconsistencies” and alleged “falsifications” in the ship’s onboard documentation, as well as attempts to evade tracking systems.

Authorities discovered that the ship’s Automatic Identification System (AIS) – used for real-time tracking – was deactivated while it was near a Russian port.

Analysis of onboard documentation and navigational data also revealed the vessel had docked in the Russian port from November 13 to 16, 2025. During that time, it allegedly conducted prohibited loading operations in violation of EU sanctions.

Authorities said the findings pointed to loading operations carried out at a Russian port subject to EU sanctions.

Italian finance police said “subsequent checks …. revealed serious inconsistencies, falsifications, and alterations to the onboard documentation relating to the locations of stops and loading operations.”

The importer, the shipowner, and several crew members are currently under investigation for allegedly attempting to circumvent EU restrictive measures introduced in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with the authorities stressing the presumption of innocence.

Guardia di Finanza said they were able to reconstruct the ship’s route and its operations despite “the misleading statements made by the ship’s captain and the attempts to obstruct the investigation by altering documents and deactivating the AIS.”

Guardia di Finanza did not name the vessel in its statement on January 17, but the photos released show a bulk carrier.