About 40 violations found on detained Russian “shadow fleet” tanker
12.04.2025 - 15:26
Estonian transport authorities have found about 40 violations on the Kiwala tanker, which has been detained in the Gulf of Finland without a flag of any country.
The day before, the Transport Department conducted an inspection of the Kiwala tanker, during which 40 violations were found, ERR reports.
In connection with this, the vessel was prohibited from continuing its journey until all deficiencies are eliminated, the department’s press service reported on Saturday, April 12.
“All day yesterday, inspectors from the Transport Department inspected the vessel and recorded a number of serious violations, due to which we cannot allow the vessel to continue its movement – neither navigation safety nor environmental safety is ensured,” said Kristjan Truu, Director of the Maritime Service of the Transport Department.
According to the transport authorities, out of the 40 violations found, 29 are serious – they were the basis for the detention of the vessel. Most of them (23 violations) concerned documentation, the rest – the system for ensuring navigation safety, crew training for emergency situations, as well as technical malfunctions.
“One of the serious problems is also the suspicion that the vessel does not have a state flag, which means that it is not subject to the jurisdiction of any country. Estonia, within the framework of its rights and international obligations, has inspected the vessel that does not have a flag,” Truu explained. “We are in constant contact with the representative of the shipowner and hope for a quick resolution of the situation.”
The vessel is currently in Muuga under the protection of the Naval Forces. After eliminating both documentary and technical violations and re-inspection, the Department of Transport will issue the tanker with permission to continue its journey.
The tanker, which was detained by the Estonian Navy the day before, was heading to the Russian port of Ust-Luga.
