Germany says Russian ‘shadow’ ship stuck in Baltic Sea
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The Eventin oil tanker drifts in the Baltic Sea off the German coast on Friday. (Stefan Sauer/picture-alliance/AP)
German authorities have confirmed that an oil tanker stranded in the Baltic Sea belongs to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” a collection of vessels used to circumvent international sanctions. The Panamanian-flagged tanker, named Eventin, lost power and steering while drifting in German waters, prompting the German Maritime Authorities (CCME) to deploy tugboats to secure the vessel.
On Friday, Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of continuing to evade sanctions by operating a “shadow fleet” of dilapidated tankers, posing a threat to European security. She pointed to the “rusty tankers” as part of Russia’s broader attempts to undermine the international sanctions imposed after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Russia has yet to comment on this incident, and previously, it had declined to respond to accusations of operating a shadow fleet.
The shadow fleet is a group of aging vessels that transport goods—particularly oil—under opaque ownership, often without proper insurance, and frequently switch flags and names to evade international laws and regulations. The U.S., EU, and the UK have imposed sanctions on Russia’s oil sector in response to the war, aiming to restrict Moscow’s ability to profit from its oil exports.
According to the CCME, the Eventin is a large oil tanker, measuring 274 meters (898 feet) long and 48 meters (157 feet) wide, and it was carrying approximately 99,000 tons of oil when it encountered trouble. The vessel had been drifting slowly in the Baltic Sea, north of Germany’s Rügen Island, when it lost power. A team of four specialists was dispatched to the ship via helicopter on Friday night to establish towing connections, and tugboats were brought in to assist. Maritime authorities confirmed that no oil leaks had been detected from the vessel.
By Saturday evening, the towing convoy was heading toward the German town of Sassnitz, located on the island of Rügen, and was expected to arrive early on Sunday. The tugboats had been moving slowly, at about 2.5 kilometers per hour (1.5 mph), in rough sea conditions with waves up to 2.5 meters (8 feet) high and strengthening winds. The CCME had taken additional safety precautions, given the challenging weather.
Despite the Eventin flying the Panamanian flag, German authorities have attributed the vessel to Russia, viewing it as part of Russia’s broader efforts to bypass sanctions. Baerbock emphasized that Russia’s actions—ranging from using disinformation campaigns to damaging undersea cables—pose significant risks to European security, and this incident with the Eventin is part of that broader pattern.
In December 2023, the European Union announced plans to impose additional sanctions targeting Russia’s shadow fleet, citing concerns over its environmental impact and its role in funding Russia’s war efforts. This statement followed an incident in which undersea cables in the Baltic Sea were damaged by a suspected vessel from the shadow fleet. The EU’s efforts to tackle Russia’s maritime activities are part of ongoing sanctions aimed at limiting Moscow’s oil exports, which have been crucial for financing the war in Ukraine.
The term “shadow fleet” or “dark fleet” refers to ships that evade traditional maritime regulations. These vessels often operate without standard Western insurance, have unclear ownership, and frequently change names and flags to obscure their true ownership. According to a report by the Atlantic Council, a U.S.-based think tank, Russia has been using this fleet to continue its oil exports despite global sanctions.
The latest developments in the Baltic Sea come amid broader efforts by Western nations to hit Russia’s oil industry where it hurts. Recently, the U.S. and the U.K. imposed sanctions on Russian energy companies, including Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas. U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy described the sanctions as a way to “drain Russia’s war chest” and reduce funding for Russia’s military actions in Ukraine. The sanctions target energy companies that help finance Russia’s war efforts, with the goal of weakening Russia’s economy and its ability to sustain the invasion.
In response, Gazprom Neft condemned the sanctions, calling them “baseless” and “illegitimate.” Meanwhile, the U.S. Treasury Department announced it had sanctioned 183 vessels connected to Russia’s shadow fleet, along with oil tankers operated by Russia-based entities. These sanctions are part of a broader international effort to reduce Russia’s ability to fund its war while undermining its oil-exporting capabilities.
As the situation unfolds, Germany’s handling of the Eventin incident highlights the ongoing challenge of managing Russia’s evasion of sanctions and the wider geopolitical risks posed by the conflict in Ukraine.
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