The Russian-linked oil tanker was detained by Estonian authorities on Friday, just outside Tallinn.
The ship, named Kiwara, reportedly operated under the Djibouti flag. However, they were caught not raising a flag, a violation of Maritime Act. The crew provided flag certificates, but Djibouti Navy authorities said they could not find Kiwara in the country’s register.
“No such vessels are actually operated. Estonia exercised its right to detain the vessel for inspection,” said Veiko Kommusaar, Deputy Director of the Police and Border Security Committee (PPA).
Kiwala has been approved by the EU, Kommusaar said. Additionally, the vessels are further sanctioned by Canada, Switzerland and the UK, according to reports. We were on our way to the UST-Luga port in Russia.
As part of Moscow’s “Shadow Fleet,” there are suspicions of transporting Russian oil to avoid sanctions. The Kiwara will be placed under alert by three naval vessels until further checks are completed.
“It is no secret that over the past year many ships have sailed to the Gulf of Finland without proper documentation,” Kommusaar explained.
“And it can be very clearly stated that it is part of a shadow fleet that uses the Baltic Sea to transport goods.”
The ship’s owner is Tirad Shipping, a Mauritius-based company that operates only one ship, Kiwara.
