The Russian “Syrian Express” Sparta II ship has entered the military unit of the port of Tartus, where the Russian group of troops is waiting for evacuation.

This is evidenced by data from the Marine Traffic monitoring service.

For the past few weeks, Sparta II has been off the coast of Syria without a permit to enter Tartus, but it has apparently received one.

The vessel has a rich history: it was an active transport of the so-called “Syrian Express” and transported weapons to Syria and since 2022 – back. The owner is the Russian company Oboronlogistika.

In particular, in August 2022, the transportation of S-300 air defense systems from Syria to the Russian port of Novorossiysk was recorded.

On December 13, 2024, the Sparta II left the Russian naval base in Baltiysk. On January 6, 2025, it was spotted in the Mediterranean Sea in the Tunisian EEZ, and on January 8, the ship was off the Syrian coast.

The Sparta II is a multifunctional vessel with horizontal and vertical loading and unloading capabilities.

It is designed to transport rolling equipment, trailers and semi-trailers, container cargo, and general cargo.

The vessel has two lower holds with a total cargo deck length of 70.7 m and a width of 15.6 m, a twin deck with a length of 109.3 m and a width of 15.2 m, and one open upper deck with a length of 96.2 m and a width of 15.6 m.

The cargo spaces can carry loaded containers of up to 213 TEU or empty containers of up to 783 TEU. The vessel has the capacity to connect 40 refrigerated containers. In addition, the vessel can carry up to 20 units of standard road trains up to 17 meters long.

The sinking of the Ursa Major

On December 24, it was reported that Ursa Major, another Russian bulk carrier participating in the “Syrian Express,” sank off the coast of Spain after an explosion.

It is reported that the vessel sank in international waters in the western part of the Mediterranean Sea, between the Spanish city of Aguillas and the Algerian city of Oran.

On December 23, at 12:30 local time, an explosion occurred on board in the engine room, causing the ship to roll. The area of the accident was marked as dangerous for navigation.

A rescue operation was organized at the accident site. It involved several ships in the vicinity, including the Spanish rescue vessel Clara Campoamor and a Spanish Navy patrol boat.

The situation in Tartus

On December 17, Militarnyi reported that the Russians had amassed a large amount of equipment at the naval base in Tartus, Syria.

Satellite images captured a large number of trucks and other vehicles on the base’s dock, while there was no equipment at the cargo terminals.

In addition to civilian vessels, several Project 775 amphibious assault ships, including Alexander Shabalin, may be involved in the group’s evacuation.