Rügen District Council urges quick action against oil tanker Eventin”!

Rügen District Council urges quick action against oil tanker Eventin”!

The Russian oil tanker “Eventin” has had a quiet anchorage off the coast of Rügen for several months. A situation that is causing excitement not only in the region but also at the political level. The Vorpommern-Rügen district council is dealing intensively with the case and recently discussed a motion from the BfS/FDP/VR+ faction, which calls on the federal government to release the ship immediately. This decision follows a ruling by the Federal Finance Court (BFH) last month that temporarily banned the tanker from being seized. “The detention of the ship is not legally covered,” said parliamentary group leader Gerd Scharmberg, and is therefore calling on the federal and state governments to act quickly. The authorities' hesitation is met with criticism as the security situation in the region comes into greater focus.

In January 2025, the tanker “Eventin” failed during a severe storm off Rügen and was subsequently secured. He is reportedly part of the Russian Shadow Fleet, a group of ships under surveillance due to international sanctions. The main customs office wanted to confiscate the tanker's cargo, but the BFH temporarily stopped this measure due to aspects of international law. The ruling states that the ship did not intentionally enter EU waters and therefore emergency port rights could apply. “Of course we have to take all legal aspects into account,” explains a spokeswoman for the Federal Ministry of Finance, while the owner company, Laliya Shipping Corporation, also emphasizes that the tanker entered German waters involuntarily.

Political and security concerns

Although the district council has no direct responsibility for sea and federal waterways, it does ensure coastal protection and environmental protection. District Administrator Dr. Stefan Kerth expresses concern about possible political power games and appeals to the federal government to take the district council's signals seriously. Security issues in particular remain present. Mayor Leon Kräusche from Sassnitz reports on discussions with the customs directorate. An additional tug was ordered until April to ensure the safety of the situation. The tanker's anchor chains were also checked again.

There is growing local concern about the possible ecological consequences of a possible oil spill. Residents and scientists have raised concerns as the Thünen Institute for Baltic Sea Fisheries studies local stocks. Minister Till Backhaus emphasizes that the ship is safely anchored in the anchorage designed for dangerous goods. However, tensions remain high as a main trial on the legality of the tanker's confiscation is imminent.

The Challenge of the Shadow Fleet

The issue surrounding the tanker “Eventin” is part of a much larger issue that affects the NATO Baltic Sea states. These states have developed various tools to combat the Russian shadow fleet, including sanctions and comprehensive controls. At a NATO summit in Helsinki, government leaders stressed the importance of protecting critical infrastructure and the environment in the Baltic Sea.

Numerous other tankers are anchored in the Baltic Sea. Experts warn about the environmental risks posed by these old and often poorly insured ships. Up to 1,400 ships could be part of the Russian shadow fleet, and the challenges in the region are diverse. In this context, the regulation of maritime and transitional rights, always in accordance with international maritime law, is becoming increasingly important.

The situation surrounding the tanker “Eventin” remains tense and requires rapid action from the authorities to ensure both the safety of coastal residents and environmental protection. It remains to be seen how the legal framework will develop and what political decisions will be made in the near future to clarify this delicate matter.

For more information, read the full reports Baltic Sea newspaper, ZDF and NDR.