Russian authorities say they turned back a Turkish-controlled bulker after finding traces of explosives.
The Federal Security Service (FSB) said the evidence of explosives was found on the 1,610-dwt general cargo ship BMO River (built 1986), according to Reuters. It was the second such discovery claimed by Russian authorities in a week.
The Palau-flag ship is controlled by Marine Inspektor of Turkey, according to Clarksons. The company could not be immediately reached for comment.
The FSB said on its website that the ship was en route to the Russian port of Rostov-on-Don from Turkey, but that it had entered Ukraine’s Danube River port of Reni twice in June and July, Reuters reported.
Meanwhile, Deutsche Bank said that, after Moscow pulled out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative that allowed Ukraine’s grain exports to flow, water levels are adding to the logistical challenges on the alternative Danube River route, where Russian attacks recently destroyed 60,000 tonnes of grain.
“Bigger vessels cannot travel on the river and shipments are further complicated by Danube levels around 40% lower than normal during this time of the year due to the heatwaves in continental Europe,” the bank’s analysts wrote.
