Tanker with Russian oil .Illustrated photo/Garry2014 / Shutterstock
Inspectors from the Estonian Transport Department found about 40 violations on the Kiwala tanker, which was detained in the Gulf of Finland. The vessel does not fly the flag of any country, which raises serious suspicions and security threats.
According to Kristian Truu, Director of the Maritime Service, 29 of the 40 violations are critical. They relate to documentation, the technical condition of the vessel, crew training for emergencies and, most importantly, legal uncertainty – the tanker is not actually under the jurisdiction of any state.
“We cannot allow the vessel to continue to move – neither the safety of navigation nor the environmental safety is ensured,” said Truu.
The vessel is currently in the port of Muuga under the protection of the Navy. Permission to continue the journey will be granted only after all violations have been eliminated and re-inspected.
