Tanker Owner Calls Finland’s Seizure A “Hijacking” After Baltic Sea Cable Damage

The owner of the oil tanker Eagle S has appealed for its release after Finnish authorities detained the vessel, accusing it of damaging undersea power and telecom cables in the Baltic Sea.

The tanker, registered in the Cook Islands, was seized by Finnish police and coast guard officials on Thursday and moved to a Finnish port, where its crew is being questioned.

Authorities believe the ship dragged its anchor for several kilometres on December 25, breaking the Estlink 2 power cable between Finland and Estonia and damaging four fibre-optic cables.

Finland’s president said that more damage to the seabed could have occurred if the ship had not been stopped.

Finland’s customs service suspects the Eagle S is part of the shadow fleet of old tankers used to bypass sanctions on Russian oil.

While the cargo on board has been impounded, it remains on the ship pending further investigation.

The tanker’s owner, Caravella LLC FZ from the UAE, has filed a request with a Finnish court to release the vessel. The company’s lawyer, Herman Ljungberg, says Finnish authorities have not explained why the ship was seized.

Ljungberg also claimed the crew was questioned without legal help and was not allowed enough sleep. He called the action a “hijacking” of the ship.

Finnish police denied the allegations. They said the ship was seized according to Finnish law, and the crew was informed of their rights, including legal support. They also said the crew was not deprived of sleep.

Reference: Reuters

Source: Maritime Shipping News