German customs seize Russian-linked tanker amid oil sanctions
German customs services seized a tanker that was drifting off the northern coast of the country in January, the magazine "Spiegel" reported. The ship Eventin, flying the Panamanian flag, is said to belong to the Russian "shadow fleet."
The magazine reported, citing sources within the German security services, that customs took over the vessel along with its cargo. The tanker was said to contain about 220,000 US pounds of crude oil, valued at approximately 42 million dollars.
Reuters reminded readers that when German customs secured the tanker drifting off the coast of Rügen in January, it sparked sharp criticism of Berlin from Moscow. Reuters noted that the old and heavily worn-out vessel also raised environmental concerns due to the possibility of an oil spill.
The Eventin was subject to European Union sanctions imposed on Russia following the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Moscow was using the vessel to evade the ban on the sale of oil, weapons, and grain to the Kremlin.
The cost of transporting oil by the "shadow fleet" sharply up
The cost of transporting Russian oil by the "shadow fleet" tripled after the introduction of the latest American sanctions, Bloomberg reported in January, emphasizing that experts believe the price will rise further.
As the agency reported, freight rates for oil transport from Russia's eastern coast to China rose on Monday from about 1.5 million to 5, or even 5.5 million dollars. Most vessels transporting oil on this route have a capacity of 750,000 barrels.
Last fall, the "Financial Times" reported that the "shadow fleet" transported almost 70% more oil than in 2023, significantly increasing environmental risk. The "shadow fleet" consists of worn-out, aging, and low-insured tankers. As of June 2023, they were transporting 2.4 million barrels of oil per day. By June 2024, this amount had increased to 4.1 million barrels.
