The Russian coast guard illegitimately detained the Greek-owned tanker “Green Admire,” operated by Aegean Shipping and owned by George Melisanidis, in the Baltic Sea after it left an Estonian port.
The tanker was navigating a designated shipping route outside the Estonian port of Sillamäe, which traverses Russian territorial waters, as confirmed by the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Flagged under Liberia, the Green Admire was transporting shale oil and headed for Rotterdam.
The crew is reportedly safe, with the tanker presently anchored near the Russian island of Gogland. An interpreter has been dispatched to assist in communication between the captain and Russian authorities.
No official statement has been released by Russia on this matter yet, though the Kommersant newspaper is monitoring the situation closely.
A Recognized Shipping Route
It is standard for vessels leaving Sillamäe to pass through Russian waters, as this route offers a safer passage for larger ships compared to navigating through shallow Estonian waters.
Estonia’s Transport Ministry noted that this is the first instance of such a detainment and will now guide ships arriving and departing from Sillamäe through its own territorial waters to prevent future occurrences.
“This incident highlights Russia’s unpredictable behavior,” remarked Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, who also informed allies about the situation.
Another Tanker Incident
This episode unfolded just three days after Russia deployed an aircraft in response to Estonia’s attempt to halt a Russian oil tanker.
On May 15, the Estonian Navy tried to intercept the tanker Jaguar, which was en route to the Russian port of Primorsk. The operation involved several ships and helicopters, prompting the Russian Aerospace Forces to send a Su-35 fighter jet to the area. Consequently, the tanker safely reached the Russian port.
