Ukraine seeking buyer for Turkish ship seized for allegedly looting grain from Crimea

The Ukrainian Government, through the Asset Recovery and Management Agency (ARMA), has begun searching for an entity to acquire the Turkish-owned cargo vessel Usko Mfu, which was seized last year for allegedly looting grain from Crimea.

ARMA has launched a tender for the selection of legal entities to take measures to organise the sale of the seized vessel, which had been transferred to the management of ARMA in accordance with the decision of the Dniprovskyi District Court of Kyiv.

ARMA said that the vessel, despite the technical need for improvement, "has significant investment potential," and, "is attractive both for future commercial use and for companies specialising in ship repair or disposal of marine transport."

After ARMA determines the organiser of the auction, the organiser will ensure an independent valuation of the asset and its subsequent placement for sale through the electronic trading system Prozorro.Sale. The deadline for submission of tender proposals is until 16:00 Ukraine time on July 4, 2025.

Documents are to be submitted by email to ARMA via info@arma.gov.ua.

Usko Mfu is registered to Cameroon. The ship was confiscated by Ukrainian officials in October 2024 and has been in detention ever since.