MARIA

The vessel has been involved in the military logistics network of the russian federation, including multiple deliveries of military equipment and ammunition from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) to russia, conducted with its Automatic Identification System (AIS) disabled.
The vessel is operated by the designated russian shipping company JSC Sovfracht (АО "Совфрахт"), which provides logistical support to the russian ministry of defence and functions as a key node in the military transport network of russian cargo vessels delivering North Korean weaponry from Pyongyang to military facilities in the russian port of Danube. Ammunition delivered by the company’s vessels has been transported to weapons depots on russia’s western border for use in the war against Ukraine.
The vessel’s previous manager was the designated russian company LLC Shipping Company Asia (ООО "Судоходная компания Азия"), a cargo carrier for the russian ministry of defence.
In December 2023, the United States imposed sanctions on the vessel as part of a group of commercial vessels that had delivered significant quantities of military equipment and ammunition supplied by the DPRK to russia.
In June 2024, the European Union imposed sanctions on the vessel in connection with the transportation of goods and technology used by russia’s defence and security sector to wage war against Ukraine.
On 17 October 2024, Switzerland imposed sanctions on the vessel in connection with the transportation to and from russia of goods and technology used in the defence and security sector, as well as for use in russia or in its war against Ukraine.
In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.