A German oil tanker, the Eventin, has been seized by the German authorities, who claim it is carrying 100,000 tons of oil worth 40 million euros. The tanker, flying the Panamanian flag, was involved in a January incident in the Baltic Sea, where it ran aground and became unable to maneuver. It was then taken in by German authorities, who launched an investigation, but found no evidence of a crime.
Despite the initial investigation’s findings, the German government has now officially seized the tanker, citing a breach of the rules of the sea and a violation of EU sanctions on Russia. The German government believes its action sends a strong signal to Russia that it will not tolerate attempts to circumvent the sanctions, which were imposed to limit Russia’s oil revenues.
However, the international community may not share Germany’s interpretation of the situation. Germany’s argument is that the tanker was carrying oil in violation of EU sanctions, but the Eventin was not independently navigating into German waters, but was instead driven there by the current after its initial incident and was later towed into the port of Rügen.
Others may view Germany’s actions as a violation of international maritime law and the rights of the tanker’s owners. In Russia, the seizure has been described as piracy.
The ownership of the oil and the fate of the tanker’s crew remain unclear. The German government’s decision to seize the tanker has been met with surprise, as many had expected a more diplomatic approach. The move has been seen as a bold step, but its effectiveness in pressuring Russia to comply with the sanctions remains to be seen.