The oil tanker Eventin, which encountered difficulties on Friday in the Baltic Sea, has been towed to the German coast. Carrying nearly 100,000 tons of oil, the vessel is held in place near the island of Rügen by two tugboats.
It has 24 crew members on board. According to the German government, the Eventin is part of the Russian shadow fleet, intended to bypass sanctions.
The tanker remains a few kilometers from Sassnitz until further decisions are made. German authorities have stated there are currently no environmental risks.
The ship, flying under the Panamanian flag, was traveling from the Russian port of Ust-Luga to Port Said in Egypt when it experienced a full blackout, rendering it uncontrollable. It drifted for hours until German tugboats intervened.
The Russian shadow fleet comprises numerous often-dilapidated ships without clear registrations, used to transport oil and gas, thus evading Western sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine. German Foreign Minister Baerbock stated on Friday that Russia endangers the Baltic Sea’s environment and tourism with this “fleet of rusting tankers.” Russia has yet to respond.
Last month, the European Commission introduced sanctions against the shadow fleet, agreeing to investigate the ownership and management of each vessel.
Source: NOS