IOHANN MAHMASTAL

The vessel is capable of transporting lumber, 20- and 40-foot containers, grain, and general cargo (International Maritime Organization – IMO classes 2– 9).
It is owned and operated by the sanctioned russian shipping company OJSC Northern Shipping Company (ОАО "Северное морское пароходство"), which is affiliated with the russian ministry of defense and provides services under state defense contracts for the transportation of cargo on behalf of the ministry.
Northern Shipping Company is one of the largest shipping operators in north-western russia, engaged in global maritime transportation, including along the Northern Sea Route. Its fleet consists of multipurpose dry cargo vessels capable of carrying all types of cargo, including radioactive and hazardous materials. The company operates 30 vessels of various types: 18 transport vessels, 7 dredging vessels, and 5 auxiliary vessels. It conducts liner, tramp, and multimodal shipping; delivers cargo to unequipped shores; provides towing services; and offers technical management (repairs, procurement, ship chandling, and warehousing). It also provides crew simulator training, performs nautical chart corrections, and supplies mixed (river– sea) navigation vessels with inland waterway charts.
In May 2022, the United States imposed sanctions on Northern Shipping Company and 27 of its vessels, including the Iohann Mahmastal, due to the company’s involvement in the military logistics sector of the russian federation, transporting tanks and other military equipment for the russian armed forces.