“Germany decided to tow away the drifting oil tanker of the “Russian shadow fleet” Germany is conducting an operation regarding the Eventin tanker from the “shadow fleet” of the Russian Federation, which ran aground near the northern coast. The vessel was carrying 100,000 tons of oil and lost the ability to maneuver due to engine failure.”, — write on: unn.ua
Details
The 274-meter Eventin was traveling from Russia to Egypt with almost 100,000 tons of oil on board when its engine failed and the vessel lost its ability to maneuver, according to Germany’s Central Maritime Emergency Command.
A tanker with Russian oil drifts off the coast of Germany – mass media10.01.25, 16:34 • 23868 views
As the vessel drifted in coastal waters on Friday, German Foreign Minister Annalena Berbock criticized Russia’s use of “old oil tankers” to circumvent sanctions on oil exports, calling it a threat to European security.
Three tugs have joined the Eventin and are trying to steer it northeast, away from the coast, to a “safer” area with “more sea space,” the command said.
It said it had taken “precautionary measures” because of a rough sea, with waves as high as 2.5 meters and gusts of wind increasing.
Authorities said Friday that no oil leaks were detected during several overflights, and rescuers handed the stranded crew radios and flashlights.
The command said on Saturday morning that it would take about eight hours to tow the Eventin about 25 kilometers into safer waters northeast of Cape Arkona, adding that they expected to do so by mid-morning.
Although the tanker was flying the Panamanian flag, the German Foreign Ministry linked it to the Russian “shadow fleet” that violates sanctions.
Addition
After Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, Western countries imposed an embargo on the Russian oil industry and prohibited the provision of services to vessels transporting oil by sea.
In response, Russia used tankers with opaque ownership or inadequate insurance to continue profitable oil exports.
According to the American analytical center Atlantic Council, the number of ships in the “shadow fleet” has increased sharply since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.
The European Union has so far imposed sanctions on more than 70 vessels believed to be carrying Russian oil.
The United States and Great Britain imposed restrictions on another 180 vessels in the “shadow fleet” on Friday.