In Finland, court upholds detention of shadow fleet tanker that damaged cables
Illustrative photo: In Finland, a court upheld the detention of a tanker of the Russian shadow fleet (Getty Images)
The court in Finland has allowed the detention of a tanker of Russia's shadow fleet suspected of damaging cables in the Baltic Sea. The detained vessel is suspected of involvement in the incident with an energy cable and four communication cables, Bloomberg reports.
The Eagle S tanker was detained in late December 2024. During seabed investigations, numerous traces were found suggesting the vessel dragged its anchor during the incident.
Today, the Helsinki District Court rejected a request from the shipowner, Caravella LLC of the UAE, to release the tanker, according to an emailed response to inquiries.
Specifically, the vessel, flying the flag of the Cook Islands, has been identified as part of the so-called shadow fleet transporting Russian oil products.
The tanker was detained at a port in southern Finland and is suspected of serious crimes, including causing significant property damage and interfering with communication systems.
Cable break in the Baltic Sea
Recently, it was reported that underwater cables connecting Finland and Estonia in the Baltic Sea were damaged. Following this, Finland detained the Eagle S vessel, likely a tanker from Russia’s shadow fleet, which was passing near the area where the cable break occurred.
Finland suspects seven crew members of the vessel of vandalism under aggravating circumstances. They have been banned from leaving the country.
