Russia detained the oil tanker Green Admire in the Baltic Sea as it was departing the Estonian port of Sillamäe, Estonia’s Foreign Ministry said. The vessel had been traveling along a previously agreed route that passes through Russian territorial waters.
The Liberian-flagged Green Admire is owned by the Greek company Aegean Shipping. It left Sillamäe around 6:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, May 17. According to Estonian Public Broadcasting (ERR), Russian authorities intercepted the tanker shortly after midnight. It was then directed toward the Russian island of Gogland, where it dropped anchor. The vessel was carrying shale oil and was bound for Rotterdam, ERR reported. Tracking data from MarineTraffic confirmed the tanker’s position near the island.
Estonia’s Foreign Ministry said the navigational route had been chosen for “maritime safety” reasons and had been “established through mutual agreement between Russia, Estonia, and Finland.” The ministry added that Estonia would now reroute all traffic to and from the port of Sillamäe exclusively through Estonian territorial waters “to prevent similar incidents.”
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said the incident demonstrated that “Russia continues to behave in an unpredictable manner.” He said he had informed Estonia’s allies of the tanker’s detention.