Estonia holds the Russian « Shadow Fleet » tanker / day

He emphasized at a press conference that the detention of the ship on Friday morning near Aegna Island was not related to damage to the critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea.

For earlier activities, Kiwala has been sanctioned by both the European Union (EU) and at least three countries outside the bloc – Canada, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

The Estonian authorities informed that the tanker, who was on his way to the port of Ustyluga in Russia at the time of the arrest, has no national flag, which means that it should not be sailed in open waters.

Verk said the ship was detained to verify its documents and legal status.

The head of the Estonian Police and the Border Guard Department, Veiko, said that « it is quite convincing that it belongs to the » shadow fleet «  ».

The Estonian authorities began its operation on Thursday night. At 4.19 pm « Kiwala », which was on the way from Sika Port to Ust -Lugu, entered Estonia’s exclusive economic zone. It is believed that the ship was without cargo during the detention.

The Estonian Transport Authority shall verify the technical condition, insurance and crew documents of the ship.

There are 24 people on board, Verk, a spokesman for the Estonian Navy, said. The captain of the ship is a Chinese citizen and has been cooperating with investigators so far.

The Ukrainian portal « Warsanctions » reports that the ship is part of the Russian « shadow fleet » and participates in Russian crude oil exports to third countries. The portal points out that ship owners and operators are often changing to hide direct links with Russia and the real beneficiaries. According to information available to Warsanctionions, Kiwala is the Jibuti flag.