A Russian oil tanker was found adrift off Germany’s northern coast, with German authorities confirming it was part of Russia’s “shadow fleet.” The ship, identified as the Panamanian-flagged Eventin, had lost power and steering in the Baltic Sea, prompting the deployment of tugboats and emergency towing specialists to secure the vessel. The tanker, carrying 99,000 tons of oil, had been en route from Russia’s Ust-Luga port to Egypt’s Port Said. While rough weather with winds and waves of up to 2.5 meters complicated the operation, no oil leak was reported from the vessel.
Russia has used uninsured ships in its “shadow fleet” to bypass Western sanctions, which were imposed after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. German authorities, aware of the risks posed by these older tankers, have raised concerns about their potential impact on European security. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock criticized Russia for using dilapidated tankers to circumvent sanctions, warning of the hazards these vessels could present to maritime safety. So far, over 70 Russian ships have been sanctioned by the EU, with the US and the UK also imposing sanctions on additional ships.
