Germany confirms seizure of Russian “shadow fleet” tanker

Germany has replaced the crew on the tanker Eventin, which is part of Russia’s “shadow fleet,” and taken control of the ship’s cargo.

This information was officially confirmed by the German Finance Ministry, writes Bloomberg.

“As a result of the seizure, the federal government acquired ownership of the ship and cargo, and as a result of the crew change, it has now also taken actual control of the ship and cargo,” the country’s Finance Ministry noted.

The agency’s representative did not comment on what further steps will be taken regarding the Eventin and the cargo, referring to “current customs measures.”

Earlier, the country’s customs authorities arrested the Panamanian-flagged tanker Eventin. The ship has been anchored off the coast of the island of Rügen since mid-January. By order of the Main Customs Administration, the old tanker and about 100,000 tons of crude oil worth 40 million euros are now being transferred to Germany.

According to security sources, the Eventin will be renamed shortly after the order is given.

Earlier, various ministries of the country discussed what measures should be taken against the tanker, which was heading from the Russian port of Ust-Luga via the Baltic Sea to Egypt.

Currently, the authorities are studying ways to safely pump out crude oil from the Eventin’s tanks and where. The government of the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern wants to get rid of the tanker as soon as possible, as it is concerned about its impact on the environment and tourism.

As a reminder, in January, Germany banned the tanker “Eventin” from the so-called Russian shadow fleet from leaving German waters.