Russian authorities release Liberian tanker after Baltic waters detention

On May 19, Russian authorities released the tanker Green Admire after it was detained on May 18 in Russian territorial waters following its departure from the port of Sillamäe carrying a cargo of shale oil.

By the evening of May 19, the vessel had left Russian territorial waters and was en route to Rotterdam, Caliber.Az reports, citing Estonian media.

The Liberian-flagged oil tanker Green Admire set sail from the port of Sillamäe on May 18, following an agreed route through Russian territorial waters, where it was subsequently detained. Larger vessels typically use this route when departing Sillamäe, as it is considered safer for large ships than the fairway between the shallows in Estonian waters.

This was the first incident of its kind. According to the Transport Department, ships visiting Sillamäe will henceforth be guided through Estonian territorial waters with pilot assistance.

Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stated that Russia’s actions were motivated by pressure on its shadow fleet in the Baltic Sea.

The Estonian Navy reported the day before that the detention may have been linked to the vessel’s failure to respond to repeated warnings while in Russian territorial waters upon entering an area Russia had designated as hazardous to navigation.

By Aghakazim Guliyev