Russia stopped the “green admiration” oil tanker on Sunday after it left the Estonian port of Sillamäe in the direction of Rotterdam. The ship made of Greek ownership was located in Russian territorial waters near the island of Gogland.
According to the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the tanker had used a proven international shipping channel that had been agreed between Estonia, Finland and Russia to prevent shallow. The ship was wearing an almost complete load of Estse slate oil – about 700,000 barrels – and was on its way to the Netherlands.
Turning on sanctions against “Shadow Fleet”?
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, Margus Tsahkna, made it clear that the incident is in connection with the increased efforts of the country against the so -called “shadow fleet” of Russia. This indicates a network of tankers with opaque owner structures, insufficient insurance and insufficient safety equipment that continues to transport Russian oil despite Western sanctions.
“The behavior of Russia remains unpredictable,” Tsahkna said. He immediately informed NATO partner about the incident.
According to the Greek government, Russia justified the determination with the intention of taking on the ship a fine. The ship was released on Tuesday and continued its journey to Rotterdam according to publicly accessible ship data.
The provocations are increasing more and more
The incident is not isolated: there was already a dangerous air encounter the week before. A Russian fighter plane without an escape schedule and deactivated transponder flew near a tanker traveling under Gabonian flag and was also observed by the Estonian authorities. NATO Jets of the Estonian Air Force Base ämari were then started for identification.
The incidents underline tensions in the region, which were reinforced by the EU sanctions against Russian oil. These are intended to prevent deliveries via tankers with unclear origin or without Western insurance. Estonia and other NATO members therefore observe the development in the Baltic Sea with increasing concern.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
