Service of a movement direction: SINEGORSK
Published 27 August 2026
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On 28 January 2026, the Secretary of State for Transport issued a movement direction to a Russian-flagged, registered and operated cargo vessel, the SINEGORSK, in accordance with regulation 57C of the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (the Russia regulations). The direction was delivered by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
The SINEGORSK complied with the direction, left UK internal waters and proceeded to the destination stipulated in the direction. It then left the UK’s territorial sea.
The SINEGORSK was assessed as being in scope of the Russia regulations and, therefore, within scope of the discretionary power to issue a movement direction conferred on the Secretary of State for Transport under regulation 57C of the Russia regulations.
Background
Russia continues to undermine and threaten Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence. To encourage Russia to cease actions which destabilise Ukraine, or undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine, the UK put in place comprehensive transport sanctions in February 2022.
The UK’s shipping sanctions (a form of transport sanction) restrict Russia from using its maritime sector to support or fund its war effort in Ukraine by denying in-scope vessels access to UK ports, preventing them from registering on the UK shipping register and giving the Secretary of State for Transport discretionary powers to issue movement and detention directions.
Regulations 57 to 57I of the Russia regulations set out these shipping sanctions.
Circumstances
On 27 January 2026, at approximately 09:47am, HM Coastguard were contacted by the Russian-flagged cargo vessel, SINEGORSK. The vessel reported a small hull defect and, due to adverse weather conditions, stated an intention to anchor in a sheltered area of UK waters to carry out these repairs.
The vessel was actively monitored as she transited into UK territorial sea.
In the early hours of 28 January 2026, the SINEGORSK came to anchor at Blue Bay Anchorage, which lies within UK internal waters.
The Centre for Transport Sanctions carried out a transport sanctions investigation into the vessel.
The investigation concluded that the vessel was Russian-flagged and registered and operated by a company incorporated in Russia, and, therefore, was in scope of UK transport sanctions.
Further, the vessel had entered UK internal waters. Internal waters are waters on the landward side of the baseline of the territorial sea. Generally, in internal waters there are no rights of passage under international law.
SINEGORSK being in scope of transport sanctions, combined with the location of the vessel, meant that the Secretary of State for Transport could exercise her discretionary powers under the Russia Regulations.
The Secretary of State for Transport therefore decided to issue a movement direction to the vessel. This was issued by HM Coastguard on behalf of the Secretary of State at 12:47pm on 28 January 2026 by radio and via email.
The SINEGORSK acknowledged the instruction and proceeded out of UK territorial waters shortly after, in compliance with the direction.