A Russian “shadow fleet” tanker has reportedly narrowly avoided a potential environmental disaster off Finland’s coast after veering dangerously close to shallow waters near the Kalbådagrund lighthouse.
The vessel, moving west in international waters, was just ten minutes from running aground before being warned by maritime authorities and altering its course, as reported by European Pravda. In response, Finland has called for decisive action against such ships, especially amid ongoing concerns about damage to submarine cables in the Baltic and North Seas.
This incident follows the recent detection of multiple shadow fleet vessels in the Gulf of Finland. In early April, Estonian authorities detained an oil tanker which is linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet” and had been sailing through Estonian waters in the Gulf of Finland.
The Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna recently stated that Estonia will continue to work with the countries bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea to protect the environment and ensure the safety of shipping and underwater infrastructure in the Gulf of Finland.
What is the shadow fleet?
The “shadow fleet” comprises primarily older tankers, many of which have not undergone recent inspections and lack proper maintenance. Ownership of these vessels is often unclear, and they frequently operate without adequate insurance coverage, seeking to evade sanctions and mitigate high insurance costs. This increases the risk of oil spill or collision. This could also result in a participating shipowner evading its liability under the relevant liability and compensation treaties.
