Red Passage – https://stories.opensourcecentre.org/red-passage/

SUMMARY

Red Passage: The Journey of Sanctioned Russian Vessel MAIA-1

On February 17, 2025, the Maia-1, a Russian cargo ship sanctioned for transporting North Korean munitions, arrived at the southern anchorage of the Suez Canal—marking the first time such a vessel ventured beyond East Asia.

Despite international sanctions, the vessel passed through ports in China, Vietnam, and likely Egypt without obstruction, raising serious concerns about the enforcement of global non-proliferation regimes

Cargo: Tens of thousands of containers of munitions from North Korea to Russia

Route: Rajin (North Korea) → Vostochny (Russia), extended through Suez Canal

Owner: MG-Flot, a sanctioned Russian company

Confirmed Trips: At least 9 shipments since October 2023

Estimated Cargo: 2,000 containers of artillery and munitions

Implication: Sustains Russian artillery supply amid the Ukraine war


Despite condemnations from nations including the U.S., UK, EU, Japan, and South Korea, the MAIA-1 operated freely across international waters, revealing serious loopholes in sanctions enforcement.