Germany Confiscates Panama-flagged Tanker Linked to Russian Shadow Fleet as Tensions Escalate

German customs officials have seized a tanker carrying 100,000 tons of oil, which they allege is part of Russia’s sanctions-evading «shadow fleet,» according to a report by the weekly news magazine Der Spiegel, citing unnamed sources.

The vessel, named Eventin and registered under the Panama flag, was en route from the Russian port of Ust-Luga to Egypt via the Baltic Sea when it experienced an engine failure, rendering it unable to navigate.

On January 12, three rescue boats from Germany escorted the Eventin to the waters near Ruegen Island, close to Sassnitz.

Since late February, the European Union has included the ship on its list of Russia’s «shadow fleet.»

Germany formally acquired the Eventin after the General Customs Directorate issued a confiscation order last Friday, as reported by Der Spiegel.

Berlin interprets this «unusually severe» action as a message to Moscow, indicating that Germany is «not passively observing» the transit of Russian oil through the Baltic Sea, the publication noted.

German officials are currently working on plans to safely extract the crude oil from the tanker, along with determining the next steps for the vessel itself.

The German Finance Ministry has refrained from commenting on the confiscation in light of «ongoing customs procedures or the current security policy situation,» according to Der Spiegel.

Following the January incident, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock criticized Russia for «jeopardizing European security not only through its aggressive war against Ukraine but also with outdated tankers.»

In response to the embargoes and service bans imposed by Western nations due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the country has depended on tankers with unclear ownership and lacking adequate insurance to sustain its oil exports.