German Authorities Seize Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker off Rügen

Germany has confiscated the oil tanker 'Eventin', part of Russia's shadow fleet, along with its 100,000-ton crude oil cargo, in a move signaling stricter enforcement of sanctions.

German Authorities Seize Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker off Rügen

German authorities have taken decisive action against the ‘Eventin’, an aging oil tanker operating under Panama’s flag and linked to Russia’s shadow fleet, which has been circumventing international sanctions to continue selling Russian crude oil.

Seizure of the ‘Eventin’

The vessel, which had been anchored off the coast of Rügen since mid-January, was officially seized last Friday by Germany’s customs authority under a forfeiture order issued by the General Customs Directorate. Both the tanker and its 100,000-ton cargo of crude oil, valued at approximately €40 million, have now become German state property.

Background and Justification

The ‘Eventin’ originally departed from Ust-Luga, Russia, with Egypt as its intended destination.
In mid-January, the tanker became stranded and unable to maneuver north of Rügen due to technical issues, raising concerns over a potential oil spill.
It was subsequently towed to waters near Sassnitz, where it was closely monitored by the German coast guard and federal police.
By late February, the European Union formally listed the ‘Eventin’ as part of Russia’s sanctions-evading shadow fleet.
Following this classification, Germany’s federal government decided to seize the vessel, rather than allow it to continue its journey.

A Clear Signal to Moscow

This firm and unusual action by Berlin reflects a strategic decision by both the Chancellery and Foreign Ministry to send a message to Moscow. German authorities aim to tighten enforcement against illicit Russian oil exports and prevent further use of the Baltic Sea for sanction circumvention.

Next Steps

Authorities are now determining:

Where and how to safely offload the crude oil from the tanker.
What to do with the vessel itself, as local officials in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern are eager to remove it due to environmental and tourism concerns.

The Finance Ministry, responsible for customs enforcement, declined to comment on the matter, citing ongoing legal proceedings and security concerns.

Conclusion

Germany’s confiscation of the ‘Eventin’ marks a significant escalation in its approach to enforcing sanctions against Russia. With Moscow still relying on a fleet of aging, non-Russian flagged tankers to sustain its oil trade, the move underscores Berlin’s commitment to cracking down on shadow fleet operations in the Baltic Sea.

German Authorities Seize Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker off Rügen