Germany Seizes Russian Tanker & Its 100,000 Tonnes of Oil Cargo Worth $43.3 Million

German Authorities have confiscated the Panama-flagged ship, called Eventin, and its cargo worth more than $43.3 million.

The tanker was found adrift off its northern coast in January. It is said to be a part of Russia’s shadow fleet of tankers, used by Moscow to evade oil sanctions, per Spiegel news magazine.

The tanker was secured by Germany after it was found off the Island of Ruegen in the Baltic Sea. The ship was sailing from Moscow to Egypt.

Carrying around 100,000 tonnes of crude oil, the tanker has been held off the Ruegen coast after it was declared unseaworthy.

Per Der Spiegel, Germany decided to seize both the old tanker and its cargo rather than allow it to sail to Egypt.

It was officially designated as part of the shadow fleet in February by the European Union.

The German officials stated that their country would not stand idle as Russian oil is shipped through the Baltic Sea, violating the sanctions.

Authorities are now trying to figure out how to safely pump out the crude oil and what to do with the tanker.

The German Finance Ministry refused to comment on the confiscation due to “ongoing customs measures or the given security policy situation,’ per Spiegel.

After the accident, the foreign minister of Germany, Annalena Baerbock blamed Russia for threatening European security not only through its war against Ukraine but also with tankers.

References: The Moscow Times, AA.com

Source: Maritime Shipping News