Concerns about maritime safety have been heightened in the Baltic region. Last week, the heads of state or government from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Sweden issued a joint statement warning that Russia’s shadow fleet poses significant risks to maritime and environmental security.
Vessel Owned by Argo Tanker Group
The vessel, carrying Russian oil from Primorsk to Mangalore, India, is owned by Moscow-based Argo Tanker Group, which acquired the ship in September 2024, according to shipping database Equasis.
This incident follows a similar case two weeks ago involving the Eventin, a 19-year-old tanker laden with nearly 100,000 tons of Russian oil. The Eventin experienced mechanical issues in the Baltic Sea and was towed to Sassnitz, Germany, for repairs.
Finnish authorities detained the Eagle S, a tanker linked to a recent Baltic subsea cable cutting incident in a separate development. A port state control inspection revealed 32 deficiencies, three severe enough to prevent the vessel from departing until repairs are completed.
In addition, recent storms in the Kerch Strait led to two tanker incidents. The Volgoneft-212, built in 1969 and carrying 4,300 tonnes of fuel oil, broke in half, resulting in oil spills that continue to impact nearby coastlines. Another coastal tanker, the Volgoneft-239, built in 1973, ran aground on the same day, further compounding environmental concerns in the area.
These incidents highlight the ongoing challenges aging tankers face and their potential environmental and safety implications in volatile weather conditions.
