Estonian Navy detains Russian shadow fleet tanker
www.pravda.com.ua
17 days ago
Estonia detained the oil tanker Kiwala, a vessel linked to Russias socalled shadow fleet, which is used to export crude oil and oil products to third countries, on the morning of 11 April.
Source ERR, an Estonian public broadcaster, citing Commodore Ivo Vrk, Commander of the Estonian Navy, as reported by European Pravda Details The operation began at 0300 and involved a helicopter.
At 0419, Kiwala entered Estonian waters.
The MarineTraffic indicates that the vessel is currently east of Aegna Island, accompanied by two naval ships.
Commodore Vrk stated that the detention was not related to threats against critical infrastructure.
The tanker, which was under sanctions due to previous activity in the EU, was reportedly en route to UstLuga in Russia.
There are 24 people on board.
The ships captain is a Chinese national and is cooperating with the investigation.
The Kiwala had been operating under the flag of Djibouti.
Ukrainian platform WarSanctions reported that the ships owners and managers have frequently changed to conceal direct ties to Russia and obscure the identity of its real beneficiaries.
Background In late March, Germany replaced the crew of the shadow fleet tanker Eventin, detained earlier that month, and took full control of the vessel and its cargo.
The EU is currently preparing its 17th package of sanctions against Russia, which may include additional restrictions targeting Russias shadow fleet and its shipping routes through the Baltic Sea.
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