Estonia says Russia detained a tanker in Baltic Sea

 Russian authorities on Sunday detained a Greek oil tanker after it left an Estonian port while sailing on a pre-agreed route in Russia's territorial waters. The incident comes several days after Estonia attempted to stop a Russian shadow fleet vessel.

The Liberian-flagged "Green Admire" tanker left the Port of Sillamäe in eastern Estonia carrying a cargo of shale oil, destined for Rotterdam, the Netherlands, the Transport Administration said on Sunday afternoon. It is owned by the Greek company Aegean Shipping.

The vessel had been sailing along an agreed route through Russian waters.

The agency told ERR that such an incident had never occurred before.

Ships traveling to and from Sillamäe will now be directed to stay in Estonian territorial waters, the agency said in a statement.

A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the tanker was detained as it was departing from the port.

"Today's incident shows that Russia continues to act unpredictably, which is why ships will be directed along an alternative route in the future," Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna (Eesti 200) said.

"I have also informed our Allies of the event," the minister added.

The tanker was detained after leaving the port at Sillamäe in Estonia and is now anchored at Russia's Gogland Island. Source: Helen Wright/ ERR/ OSM

Safe navigation route

"Green Admire" departed from the Estonian port at around 6:30 p.m. on Saturday (May 17), sailing westwards through Russia's territorial waters.

Shortly after midnight, the Russian authorities stopped the tanker. The vessel then traveled to Russia's Gogland Island, where it is now anchored.

Ships leaving Sillamäe usually move through Russia's territorial waters because it is a safer route for larger vessels than navigating Estonia's shallows.

This safe navigation route does not follow any national borders and has been agreed upon between Russia, Estonia, and Finland.

The Transport Administration's vessel traffic management department monitors ship traffic in Estonian territorial waters.

The incident follows an attempt this week by the Estonian Navy to stop an unflagged tanker, part of Russia's shadow fleet, sailing through Estonian waters. The ship did not stop and Russia sent a fighter jet to escort the tanker, violating Estonia's airspace in the process.

Another shadow fleet tanker, the "Kiwala," was impounded by Estonian authorities for a little over two weeks in April for sailing without a flag.

https://news.err.ee/1609697907/russia-detains-oil-tanker-after-leaving-estonian-port