Russia Detains Oil Tanker Carrying Estonian Shale Oil To Rotterdam

Russia has detained an oil tanker, owned by Greece and sailing under the flag of Liberia, after it departed from a Baltic port of Estonia.

The Estonian Foreign Ministry has informed the NATO allies about the incident. Margus Tsahkna said that this incident shows that Moscow behaves unpredictably and stated that their partners and allies have been alerted.

The ship Green Admire was departing Sillamae port via a designated navigation channel that crosses the territorial waters of Moscow, per the statement of the ministry.

On Sunday afternoon, the ship anchored close to Hogland Island, Russia. Per a Greek government official, the vessel went into Russian waters to avoid the shallos, but the Russian officials intercepted and moved it to impose a fine.

The ship is operated by Aegean Ship Management based in Athens, and one of its main insurers is Skuld, in Norway. The companies have not responded to requests for any comments on this incident.

The vessel was destined for Rotterdam and was loaded with Estonian shale oil.

The navigation channel out of the Sillamae Port via Russian waters was set up in an agreement between Estonia, Russia and Finland to avoid the shallows in Estonian waters, the administration added.

It also said that now ships sailing into and out of the port will be guided via Estonian waters.

NATO has not commented on the incident, though a Greek coast guard said that since the ship is not Greek-flagged, the state has no authority over it.

On the contrary, a government official from Greece said that they were watching the case closely and also said they would assist if needed.

References: Reuters, Al Jazeera

Source: Maritime Shipping News