Russia's latest "Syria Express" convoy encounters problem in the Fehmarn Belt
MV Siyane Severa, travelling as part of an escorted convoy, suffered a probable engineering defect and loitered for twelve hours in the Fehmarn Belt
Russia’s latest suspected arms shipment convoy from the Baltic Sea to the Levant region departed the port of Baltiysk during the afternoon, 30 April 2025. Now widely referred to as the “Syria Express” this iteration of the convoy consisted of Ro-Ro cargo vessels MV “Baltic Leader”, MV “Patria” and general cargo vessel MV “Siyanie Severa”, all of which were escorted by the Russian Navy Baltic Fleet Pr.20380 Steregushchiy class missile corvette SKR-532 “Boikiy”.
During the 0600Z hour, cargo vessel MV Siyanie Severa unexpectedly slowed and commenced loitering around 15NM west of the Puttgarten/Rodbyhavn passage. German Coastguard vessel BP-82 Bamberg which was escorting the convoy westward also stopped and almost certainly observed MV Siyanie Severa from a distance of 5NM until the 0900Z hour before opening to the east and continuing normal tasking.
The remainder of the convoy, MV Baltic Leader, MV Patria and SKR-532 continued towards the Great Belt escorted by the Danish Navy Diana class patrol vessel, P-521 HDMS Freya, and were observed exiting the Baltic Sea during the 1000Z hour.
Whatever problem caused MV Siyanie Severa to stop in the Fehmarn Belt was highly likely resolved as the ship recommenced a northerly transit during the 1800Z hour and exited the Great Belt during the 2200Z hour, 2 May.
The rest of the convoy were almost certainly informed that MV Siyanie Severa was back underway as MV Baltic Leader, MV Patria and SKR-532 Boikiy commenced loiter 15NM south east of Grenaa from the 1700Z hour until the 0500Z hour, 3 May, when MV Siyanie Severa had caught up.
All four ships subsequently resumed a northerly transit and will likely exit the Skagerrak, late PM, 3 May.
Comment
The cause of the stoppage is unknown but given the seemingly relentless workload of the Syria Express vessels and general evidence of poor material state, there is a realistic possibility MV Siyanie Severa suffered an engineering related problem whilst transiting the Fehmarn Strait. Alternatively, the possibility exists there may have been a problem with the cargo itself which required the vessel to stop.
The lack of any rescue effort activity from Baltiysk suggests the crew were confident of an onboard resolution and as soon as MV Siyanie Severa got underway again, the remainder of the convoy stopped to allow her to rejoin. Whatever the reason for the loiter, the German Coastguard, who closely observed MV Siyanie Severa during the forenoon, were content for the vessel to remain in the Fehmarn Belt.