Detained Vessels Cleared for Release in Malta
After nearly three years of detention in Malta, two containerships previously linked to sanctioned Russian entities have been cleared for release. The MSC Bilbao and MSC Valencia, both formerly operated by Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), were held due to their ownership ties with GTLK, a state transportation leasing company in Russia that was blacklisted following the invasion of Ukraine. On July 7, 2025, these vessels were officially transferred to new, non-sanctioned owners and renamed TSC Dorado and TSC London.
New Ownership and Future Operations
The transfer of ownership to TSC, a company with no connections to Russia, represents a significant shift in the vessels’ status. TSC has affiliations with Germany’s Hammonia Reederei, facilitating the release of the ships from detention and enabling them to resume commercial operations. The specific details regarding the ownership transfer, including the sale price, have not been disclosed to the public.
GTLK has been at the forefront of a comprehensive Western effort to target Russian state-linked leasing and transportation entities. Since sanctions were imposed in early 2022, numerous vessels and aircraft have been frozen or repossessed across Europe. The MSC Bilbao and MSC Valencia, both built in 2007, are part of a larger maritime portfolio owned by GTLK, which has seen many of its vessels detained, reflagged, or sold in response to sanctions.
With the TSC Dorado and TSC London now cleared to re-enter global service, discussions are underway regarding their future chartering options. It remains uncertain whether MSC will reinstate their commercial deployment under a new time charter or if the new owners will pursue alternative shipping partnerships. As the situation unfolds, the maritime industry will closely monitor these developments.
