An oil tanker named Eventin has been secured off the coast of Rügen after becoming disabled due to power and machine failure. The vessel, which is 274 meters long and has the capacity to carry approximately 99,000 tons of oil, was on its way from Ust-Luga, Russia, to Port Said, Egypt, when the incident occurred. It belongs to the so-called Russian shadow fleet, noted by environmental group Greenpeace.
On Thursday evening at around 10 PM, the tanker lost its maneuverability and began drifting roughly 20 kilometers offshore. Despite the situation, the German Havariekommando confirmed the ship was structurally sound and posed no immediate environmental threat, as no oil leak has been reported. An official said, “The tanker seems to be structurally sound, so we currently have no concerns about oil in the water.”
Due to worsening storm conditions, salvage operations were complicated. Heavy winds and waves were reported, prompting the dispatch of additional rescue vessels, including the tug Bremen Fighter and several multipurpose ships to assist the operation. The Havariekommando coordinated efforts to secure the vessel, which will eventually be towed to either Rostock or another harbor pending assessments.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock criticized Russia’s handling of such incidents, stating, “Russia endangers our European security not only with its illegal aggression against Ukraine, but also with severed cables, displaced boundary buoys, disinformation campaigns, GPS jammers, and of course with decrepit oil tankers.” She emphasized the impact these situations pose not only to the environment but also to regional stability and ecotourism.
The Eventin is among several vessels identified by Greenpeace as part of Russia’s shadow fleet, which comprises older ships often flagged under countries such as Panama as part of attempts to circumvent international sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine. “The Eventin is just the latest example of how the ships of the Russian shadow fleet threaten the Baltic coast every day,” said Thilo Maack, marine biologist at Greenpeace, highlighting the inherent risks associated with such vessels.
Further complicity was underscored by the past behavior of these ships. Greenpeace has noted previous alarm over dangerous ship-to-ship oil transfers and technical deficiencies observed on these vessels, which often operate without adequate insurance against oil spills. The organization has compiled lists of ships posing potential risks to coastal regions, with the Eventin called out for its track record.
On the local front, officials such as Till Backhaus, the Environmental Minister of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, expressed cautious optimism concerning the handling of the situation. He commented, “It seems we might come away from this incident with just a scratch,” reinforcing the perception of preparedness and rapid response by local authorities.
Stefan Kerth, the District Administrator of Vorpommern-Rügen, was also optimistic, affirming, “I am optimistic the salvage command will do a good job.” He assured residents there was no danger to the public, reflecting the coordinated response aimed at ensuring community safety during this maritime incident.
The situation remains under close observation, with the Havariekommando maintaining contact with the ship’s operators to formulate next steps. Given the potential hazards associated with aging tankers and the geopolitical undercurrents surrounding their operations, the securing of the Eventin serves as both a pressing reminder and warning about the responsibilities tied to maritime navigation and ecological stewardship.