A Panamanian-flagged oil tanker, identified as Eventin, has been stranded in the Baltic Sea after losing power and steering, prompting a swift response from German maritime authorities. The ship, believed to be part of Russia’s “shadow fleet,” is accused of circumventing sanctions imposed by the US, UK, and the EU following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
German authorities confirmed the incident on Friday, stating the vessel, 274 meters long and carrying approximately 99,000 tonnes of oil, was drifting in the coastal waters off Rügen Island. Three tugboats were deployed to secure the ship, which was unable to maneuver. No oil leaks have been reported, but safety measures were taken due to rough seas with 2.5-meter waves and strengthening winds.
The Eventin is part of Russia’s shadow fleet, a collection of ageing tankers used to bypass Western sanctions. These vessels typically operate under unclear ownership, change flags and names frequently, and avoid industry-standard Western insurance, making them difficult to trace. This fleet is vital for Russia to continue its oil exports despite the embargoes.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock criticized Russia, accusing the Kremlin of endangering European security through these illicit maritime operations. She called out Moscow for using “rusty tankers” as part of its broader efforts to avoid sanctions and fund its ongoing war in Ukraine.
The shadow fleet has been linked to various incidents, including the damage to undersea cables in the Baltic Sea last December. The European Union has been actively working on measures to target these vessels and disrupt Russia’s energy export network.
The United States and the United Kingdom have further ramped up sanctions, directly targeting energy companies such as Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas. These measures aim to drain Russia’s resources and weaken its ability to fund the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
As the Eventin is slowly towed toward the German town of Sassnitz, the incident underscores the ongoing challenges posed by Russia’s shadow fleet in circumventing international sanctions.
