PIZHMA

The vessel has been involved in the regular transportation of military cargo and personnel from Novorossiysk (russia) to Tartus (Syria) and back, and is also believed to have transported such cargo from Tartus to ports in the temporarily occupied territory (TOT) of Crimea (Ukraine). It has also been involved in the transport of ilmenite to the TOT of Crimea, Ukraine for the russian-seized Crimean Titan, operating on the Novorossiysk (russia) – Tartus (Syria) route.
Since late 2023, the vessel has been reassigned from the Novorossiysk– Tartus route to the St. Petersburg– Kaliningrad container ferry line. On 28 July 2023, the Federal Service for Supervision in the Sphere of Transport of the russian federation issued a licence authorising the vessel to carry all categories of dangerous goods, including radioactive cargo (hazard class 7). The vessel is equipped with additional specialised equipment, and certain crew members have undergone specialised training. The dry cargo vessel’s design is fully suitable for the carriage of all hazard classes, including radioactive materials. It has a deck for containers and general cargo, and two holds – one fitted for the transport of spent nuclear fuel.
In May 2022, the United States imposed sanctions on the Pizhma, then owned by the designated russian shipping company SK-Yug LLC (ООО "СК-Юг"), a subsidiary of the designated russian company Oboronlogistika LLC (ООО "Оборонлогистика"). Oboronlogistika LLC operates as part of the military construction complex of the russian ministry of defence, with its main functions being to provide transportation, storage, and production of military and special-purpose goods for the ministry. It is the sole provider of transport services for the russian ministry of defence, moving troops to certain regions of russia and delivering cargo to the TOT of Crimea (Ukraine).
Since July 2023, the vessel has been owned by the russian shipping company Obl-Shipping LLC (ООО "Обл-Шиппинг"), which is part of the Oboronlogistika group.