Greek tanker released by Russia, navigational concerns loom
The Greek tanker Green Admire, detained by Russia, has been released and is now continuing its journey towards Rotterdam. This marks a significant incident that may impact future shipping routes. What are the implications of this event?
What do you need to know?
- The tanker Green Admire, owned by a Greek shipping company, was detained by Russia on Sunday but released on Monday evening, as confirmed by Estonian radio ERR.
- Russian authorities cautioned the crew about a hazardous area in territorial waters, but these warnings were disregarded, resulting in the ship's detention.
- The Estonian Transport Agency has announced that local services will now pilot ships through Estonian waters to prevent similar incidents in future.
Why did Russia detain the tanker?
The Green Admire tanker, registered under the Liberian flag, was seized by Russian authorities after leaving the Estonian port of Sillamäe. Russian authorities had warned the crew about entering a dangerous area within their territorial waters. However, the crew ignored the directive to alter their course, leading to the ship's detention near Gogland Island.
What will be the consequences for shipping?
The Estonian Transport Agency announced that because of the incident, local services will now pilot ships through Estonian waters, which are known to be more challenging to navigate. Although a recommendation to avoid Russian waters was established in 2022, the final decision on the route remains with the ship's captain. This incident may affect future decisions regarding shipping routes in the region.
The tanker Green Admire has been released and continues its journey to Rotterdam. The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs described Russia's actions as "unpredictable" and has informed its allies about the incident. Media sources suggest that the event may be Russia's reaction to Estonian services' efforts to monitor the Russian "shadow fleet."
