Estonian authorities have detained an oil tanker linked to Russia just off the coast of Tallinn due to violations of maritime law. The vessel, known as the Kiwala, is allegedly part of Moscow’s “shadow fleet” and has already been placed under sanctions by the European Union and several other countries.
This marks the first occasion where Estonia has directly acted against Russia’s shadow shipping network, which is thought to be used to bypass international sanctions. The Kiwala had reportedly been sailing under Djibouti’s flag, but at the time of detention, it was not flying any flag at all — a clear breach of international maritime regulations. Though the crew presented a certificate claiming Djibouti registration, Djibouti’s naval authority said it could not locate the vessel in its national database.
“Ships like this are actually not allowed to operate. Estonia exercised its right to detain the vessel for inspection,” said Veiko Kommusaar, Deputy Director General of the Police and Border Guard Board (PPA).
According to Kommusaar, the Kiwala is already sanctioned by the EU and is also subject to additional sanctions from Canada, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The vessel was reportedly on its way to the Russian port of Ust-Luga when it was intercepted.
The tanker is suspected of being used to move Russian oil in defiance of sanctions, as part of a broader network of vessels operating in the Baltic Sea without proper registration. For now, the Kiwala is being held under surveillance by three Estonian navy ships while further investigations are conducted.
“It is no secret that over the past year, a number of vessels have appeared in the Gulf of Finland that sail without proper documentation,” Kommusaar said.
“And it can be stated quite clearly that it is part of the shadow fleet, which uses the Baltic Sea to transport goods, which is prohibited.”
The tanker’s registered owner is Tirad Shipping, a Mauritius-based company that owns only one vessel — the Kiwala.
