SIYANIE SEVERA

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Latest news

Russian military convoy shadowed during transit through waters of NATO countries

A Russian naval force consisting of four ships was close to rounding Skagen Reef on the afternoon of March 19, 2025, heading towards the Great Belt. The Royal Navy, along with NATO allies, had conducted a coordinated operation to monitor the Russian naval task group since entering the English Channel on March 16. The Type 23 frigate HMS 'Somerset', the minehunter HMS 'Cattistock' and the RFA 'Tidesurge' had participated in the monitoring operation, which began south of Portsmouth. The operation involved both naval assets and aerial surveillance, including a RAF P8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth. The ships were on their way back from Syria, where they have picked up military equipment that is no longer needed after the Russian-backed President Assad's regime fell in Dec 2024. The ships have been continuously shadowed by aircraft and warships from the NATO countries they have passed, a task that was taken over by units from the Danish Navy when the naval force have passed Skagen. The convoy consisted of the destroyer 'Severomorsk', the landing craft 'Aleksandr Shabalin', and the cargo ships 'Sparta IV' and 'Siyanie Severa', both of which sailing for the Russian Navy. The naval force was on its way to St. Petersburg with the 'SParta IV' having an ETA as of March 24, where equipment from Syria has previously been brought ashore. The Russians are negotiating with the new rulers in Syria for permission to continue using the strategically important naval base in Tartus. The Russians are prepared to pay for the base with Russian oil. The status of these negotiations was unknown. Report with photos: https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news/2025/march/19/250319-royal-navy-shadow-russian-task-group-returning-from-syria-in-the-channel

Suspension of payments

Flinter Groep and Flinter Fleetholding confirm that on Wednesday evening ING Bank has accelerated her credit lines and that there is no other option than to file for suspension of payments. The downturn in shipping continues now for the 9th year and prospects are not yet positive. The sudden move by ING Bank has taken us by surprise. Only last week we were informed that the bank is not willing to renew the financing of the 8 vessels owned by Flinter Fleetholding and the MV Flintersky that had expired on October 1st. The bank sees no other option than to sell the vessels. During subsequent meetings we discussed the preferred route to sell not by auction. In response we requested the bank last week Thursday to make it possible that until the end of the month all suppliers could be paid, while we would produce a plan how to best sell the 9 vessels (and thus maximize the proceeds for the bank. Four working days later ING Bank informs us that all loans are being called. We are extremely sad about all this. In our opinion there are only losers: our staff on shore and on the vessels, the owners of the vessels and Flinter, the many partners and suppliers that support the vessels in the recent years with better payments terms etc. It is also expected that the bank will lose millions. Despite all emotions, we will continue to act professionally and transparent to all parties. After 8 years of fighting hard it is sad that our journey ends here. http://www.flinter.nl/index.php/en/news