The oil tanker Kiwala was detained by Estonian authorities in the Gulf of Finland on the morning of 11 April, Estonian Navy Commander Ivo Werk said. He told the press that the detention of the vessel was for the purpose of checking documents and was not related to the investigation of damage to critical infrastructure in the Gulf of Finland.
Veika Kamusaar, head of the Border Guard Service of the Police and Border Guard Department, confirmed that there have been many ships without the necessary documents in the bay recently. His words are quoted by Err.ee.
Vessel tracking website Marine Traffic reports that the tanker is anchored in Muuga Bay, east of Egna Island, with two Estonian Navy warships nearby.
The Russian vessel has been under sanctions by both the European Union and several other countries (UK, Canada, Switzerland) for previous illegal actions. The tanker was travelling from the port of Sika in India to the port of Ust-Luga in Russia, so apparently there was no cargo on board.
“It was a ship without a flag. Such ships actually have no right to sail. Estonia exercised its right to detain the ship for inspection,” explained Veika Kamusaar.
During the detention, the Transport Board checks the technical condition and insurance of the ship, as well as the documents of the crew. A helicopter was used for the detention.
There are 24 people on the ship. The captain of the ship from China is co-operating with the investigation, Estonian authorities said. The rest of the ship’s crew members are likely Myanmar nationals.
The ship will be detained until technical faults are rectified.