A tanker with Russian gasoline was transferred to a port with a fuel terminal in Finland

The tanker with Russian gasoline detained by the Finnish authorities was transferred to the port with a fuel terminal. The local police said that the new location would be better for conducting investigative activities.

According to AIS vessels, the Eagle S tanker made a 16-mile crossing from the border of the territorial waters of Finland in the Gulf of Finland to the port of Kilpilahti and is located two kilometers from the Svartbek oil terminal. The Uisko patrol boat is located next to the vessel.

Judging by the draft of 12.6 meters, unleaded gasoline remains on board the tanker. While not far from the vessel there are other tankers that arrived for unloading at the Svartbek terminal.

The day before, the Finnish police announced that they would transfer the tanker, accompanied by tugs and patrol ships and boats, to the port of Kilpilahti.

"The reason for the transition is that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has seized Eagle S. C, the new location offers the best option for conducting investigative activities. Flights on board the tanker will be suspended for the duration of the transition and will be resumed as soon as the vessel is anchored," the police said in an official statement.

They added that the police had established a one-nautical-mile exclusion zone around the tanker to ensure operational security: "A no-fly zone is currently operating around the Sheldvik Bay."

Later, the police reported on the successful operation.

As EADaily reported, on the afternoon of December 25, Finland announced the breakage of the EstLink 2 power cable, which connects Finland and Estonia. Suspicion fell on the Eagle S tanker, which transports unleaded gasoline from Russia to Asia or Europe — the ship was going to the Suez Canal. During the rupture, the tanker could pass directly over the power cable.

In the evening, the vessel changed its route and turned into Finnish territorial waters. The next day, Finland announced the detention of the vessel. Investigators believe that the tanker could have hooked the anchor of the power cable and four more communication cables. So far, this is speculation, since Finland has not reported on the discovery of a break point and its investigation. But a criminal case has already been opened for vandalism with aggravating consequences.

Eagle S tanker is owned by a company from the UAE and operated by an operator from India. In the West, the vessel is referred to as a tanker of the Russian shadow fleet, which helps Russian manufacturers circumvent Western sanctions restrictions. In selected countries The EU is required to fight the shadow fleet and confiscate cargo in order to reduce Russia's revenues. Which, however, is extremely problematic, since international law clearly establishes the rules for freedom of navigation — in neutral waters.