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Israel Buyer Rejects Disputed Grain as Ukraine Seeks Seizure of Panormitis

The reversal points to rising legal and diplomatic pressure on the shadow fleet moving grain from Russian‑occupied Ukraine.

Overview

  • The Panama‑flagged Panormitis, turned away Thursday, left Haifa for neutral waters after Israel’s Grain Importers Association said buyer Zenziper would not accept the cargo.
  • Ukraine’s prosecutor general said Wednesday that Kyiv sent Israel a formal request to seize the ship and its load, with Israeli officials saying the file is now under review.
  • Ukrainian investigators allege part of the cargo came from occupied territory via ship‑to‑ship transfers and that the vessel entered closed Ukrainian ports, while the ship’s managers say documents show a Russian origin.
  • The European Union asked Israel for information on reported shadow‑fleet shipments and said it is ready to list individuals and companies in third countries that help the trade.
  • Ukrainian and Israeli reports put the load at about 26,000 tons of barley and wheat worth around $7 million, and Israeli outlets said this is the first suspected shipment refused at an Israeli port.