A cargo ship carrying coal from the Russian port of Murmansk is on its way to Belfast Harbour.
Clipper Talent is registered in the Marshall Islands according to Belfast Harbour traffic information.
The port's website suggests the almost 180m long bulk carrier was due at 2.15pm on Thursday afternoon but has not docked yet.
Read more: DAERA facing legal action over gas caverns near Game of Thrones site
Live ship tracking information shows it is currently making its way into Belfast Lough.
We understand it will be the fifth ship carrying goods from Russia to dock in Belfast since the war against Ukraine began.
Goods since imported from Vladimir Putin's country include peat, timber and coal.
Just one of the five ships had a direct connection with Russia as it had been chartered by the country's Yamal Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) project. But the Eduard Toll, which is owned by a US investment firm and registered in the Bahamas, docked before sanctions began.
The other four ships were registered under a range of national flags, including the Netherlands, Antigua and Barbuda according to a source, so even if they were carrying goods from Russia they can't be stopped under current sanctions.
A spokesperson for Belfast Harbour said: "Following the Department of Transport’s communication to UK ports regarding its maritime sanctions against the Russian Federation, Belfast Harbour is working closely with shipping agents and relevant partners to implement all of the Government’s legislative sanctions on Russian vessels.
"In line with current regulations, vessels meeting the criteria for sanctions will not be granted Port access, whilst vessels not impacted by the current sanctions can access the Port."
Last week a ship carrying oil from Russia docked at Foyle Port in Derry. SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said at the time, the Pluto "is not welcome and should not be allowed to make land in Derry".
A spokesperson for the Port said while there are sanctions on Russian owned, registered or managed ships there is nothing to stop ships from other countries bringing in Russian commodities.
They added: "Foyle Port is currently operating to the parameters of the sanctions set out by the Department for Transport in London. It has been highlighted to the department by the Port that the commodity on a ship is beyond the set sanctions."
A Department for Infrastructure spokesperson told us Minister Nichola Mallon "has written to the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps supporting his call asking ports not to provide access to any ships under a Russian flag or that are owned, registered, chartered or operated by persons connected with Russia".
They say she has also sought "urgent clarification on whether such sanctions are intended to capture cargo of Russian origin, or indeed if the British Government intends to bring about more sanctions in the future that will prohibit the landing in ports of Russian commodities".
Read more: No environmental impact assessments on tree felling along Lagan
Read more: Tree planted by Belfast's first woman mayor to be chopped down
To get the latest breaking news straight to your inbox, sign up to our free newsletter.
