EAGLE S

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

New Zealand concerned about shadow tanker

New Zealand is currently concerned about the 'Eagle S', which had been seized by Finnish authorities at Christmas 2024 in the Baltic Sea after reportedly damaging the Estlink 2 undersea cable. A month earlier, New Zealand had classified it as a serious violator and shared this information with the Cook Islands government. The correspondence contains several messages from the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) expressing concerns about the state of the Cook Islands' shipping registry and warning that it is likely being used by Russia to evade sanctions. Wellington has asked to formally approach the Cook Islands on the Ghost Fleet issue, reiterate concerns, seek assurances, and offer support to the Cook Islands, according to an email sent by the New Zealand High Commission in the Cook Islands. Another email states that "New Zealand's concerns regarding the Cook Islands' shipping registry have increased" following the Estlink 2 incident. "As the vessel is suspected of being part of the Russian 'Ghost Fleet,' we request an update from the Cook Islands Government on its response to the incident, given the seriousness of the matter and the potential consequences. Currently available data indicates an increase in the number of sanctioned vessels on its registry." New Zealand requests "assurance that all sanctioned vessels have been formally delisted or that action is currently underway to do so." A document from the New Zealand/Cook Islands Joint Ministerial Forum and Joint Defence and Security Dialogue Working Group states that New Zealand officials "took stock of the latest round of sanctions imposed by New Zealand Russia is registering its ships in the Cook Islands to create a ghost fleet and avoid sanctions on the sale of its oil. The complexity of these vessels' ownership structures, designed to conceal their true ownership, requires shipping registries to be well-equipped to monitor them and to have robust due diligence procedures in place for vessel registration. The vessels are generally old, poorly maintained, underinsured, and do not meet international standards. The above mentioned emails, released under the Official Information Act, also offer to help the maritime Cook Islands improve its standards, as the problem is worsening, despite the agency having all the information it needs to take action against vessels that do not comply with the rules.

Tanker released after defiencies were rectified

On March 2, Finland has ended the seizure of the shadow fleet tanker 'Eagle S', that had pulled up four underwater data cables and a power link on Dec. 25, while the investigations were still proceeding. The police aimed to conclude its criminal probe by the end of April. The deficiencies found in a Port State Control inspection in January have been rectified, and Finland’s transport authority Traficom thus allowed the ship to set off. On March 2, the power transmission system operators of Finland and Estonia, Fingrid Oyj and Elering AS, dropped their demand that the vessel remain detained, saying the cost of detaining and maintaining the ship likely exceeded its value. Instead, they plan to seek compensation. The tanker with its cargo of unleaded petrol and diesel was escorted by the Border Guard from Finnish territorial waters. Eight crew members were still suspected of offenses, and three of them were prevented from leaving the country. The ship raised anchor and started the voyage towards Port Said with an ETA as of March 20, Report with photo: https://fr.news.yahoo.com/c%C3%A2bles-rompus-baltique-p%C3%A9trolier-suspect-131552787.html

Investigations against Russian shadow tanker going on

The 'Eagle S' remains stationary in Svartbäcksfjärden outside Porvoo, while it is still being investigated how the dragging anchor did affect the ship, and why no one on board noticed that the tanker was sailing incorrect. The 'Eagle S' is a typical ship in the Russian shadow fleet. An old worn-out tanker, poorly maintained, with many and difficult-to-investigate owners. Several shortcomings and technical error were found. The Georgian captain and eight members of the crew, consisting of Georgians and Indians, have been banned from traveling. The ship has such poor fire safety, navigation equipment and ventilation in the pump room, so that the ship would not be allowed to continue even if the captain and seven of his men were not suspected of gross sabotage. In addition, the doors are not sufficiently watertight, and the toilets are failing, as is the emergency lighting. The anchor system is not in good condition. The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency, Traficom, has found a total of 32 deficiencies. Already last summer, safety deficiencies and generally poor condition were reported. There was also information that the 'Eagle S' was a spy center with advanced radio equipment for monitoring NATO ships and aircraft. The equipment required so much power that the electrical system on the tanker was sometimes overloaded. The investigation should be complete in a couple of months. Report with photos: https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/zAw9eb/i-finska-spjutsund-ligger-putins-spokbat-eagle-s-som-en-dod-klump