Germany seizes Russian shadow fleet tanker: Report
Panama-flagged oil tanker, its $43M worth of cargo reportedly confiscated by German customs authorities
File Photo
BERLIN
German authorities have seized a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker and its cargo worth over €40 million ($43.3 million), local media reported Friday.
The Panama-flagged, vessel Eventin, carrying approximately 100,000 tons of crude oil from Russia, has been held off the coast of Ruegen since mid-January after authorities declared it unseaworthy.
Der Spiegel reported that German officials decided last week to confiscate both the aging tanker and its cargo rather than allow the vessel to continue its journey to Egypt.
The ship was identified as part of Russia's “shadow fleet” – a network of tankers Moscow uses to circumvent international sanctions and maintain global oil sales.
The EU officially designated the Eventin as part of this shadow fleet in February.
German government sources, speaking anonymously to Der Spiegel, said this unprecedented seizure demonstrates Germany's firm commitment to enforcing international sanctions.
“Germany will not stand idly by as Russian oil transits through the Baltic Sea” in violation of sanctions, the officials said.
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