The Estonian Navy detained a Russian-linked oil tanker on Friday in the Gulf of Finland, citing violations of international maritime law and European Union sanctions. The vessel, named Kiwala, was stopped near Tallinn Bay and found to be sailing without a recognized national flag, an illegal status under maritime regulations.
The Kiwala is part of what Western officials refer to as Russia’s “shadow fleet,” a network of tankers believed to be used to evade sanctions on Moscow’s oil exports. These vessels often operate without proper documentation, insurance, or oversight.
⚡️BREAKING: Estonia seizes Russian “shadow” tanker in the Baltic Sea for the first time
The vessel KIWALA was heading to the Russian port of Ust-Luga, sailing near Estonia’s territorial waters.
At the time of the seizure, there were 24 third-country nationals on board. The… pic.twitter.com/6XPf9fE2p7
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) April 11, 2025
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal stated on social media that the early morning operation included naval ships and helicopters, and that the ship was boarded to inspect its legal status and safety.
“Estonia takes suspicious activities in the Baltic Sea very seriously,” Michal said.
According to Estonian authorities, the tanker had been under EU sanctions since February and was heading to Ust-Luga, a major Russian oil terminal on the Baltic coast.
Publicly available records had previously listed the Kiwalaunder the Djibouti flag, but Djibouti has denied any current registration. “Because of the suspicions that the vessel has no flag, the Estonian authorities reacted,” Kristjan Truu, Director of the Maritime Division at Estonia’s Transport Authority, told reporters.
The Estonian Navy intercepted the sanctioned ‘shadow fleet’ oil tanker Kiwala in Estonian territorial waters en route to the port of Ust-Luga, Russia. The crew, vessel, and documentation will be inspected by the Transport Administration and the Police and Border Guard Board. pic.twitter.com/hkENUA6XCj
— Estonian Defence Forces | Eesti Kaitsevägi (@Kaitsevagi) April 11, 2025
Estonian Navy Commander Ivo Värk emphasized that there was no threat to critical infrastructure and that the detention was not connected to previous incidents involving damage to underwater cables in the region. “The purpose of detaining the ship was to check its papers and legal status,” Värk said. The crew, including a Chinese captain and members from China and Mauritania, was reported to be cooperative.
Border guard chief Veiko Kommusaar said the Kiwala’s operation without valid registration confirmed its ties to the shadow fleet. “It is no secret that over the past year, a number of vessels have appeared in the Gulf of Finland that sail without proper documentation,” he stated. “And it’s safe to say this is part of the shadow fleet.”
The Kiwala is sanctioned by the European Union, United Kingdom, Canada, and Switzerland for transporting Russian oil using what authorities call “irregular and high-risk shipping practices.” Estonia’s national broadcaster ERR reported that the vessel is owned by Tirad Shipping Inc., a Mauritius-registered company with no other listed ships.
In December, Estonia’s parliament passed legislation granting the Navy broader authority to intervene against commercial vessels suspected of threatening subsea infrastructure. The bill allows for the use of military force, including sinking ships in extreme cases, though officials have stressed that such measures would be a last resort.
“The lives of many people must be at risk or a catastrophe must be imminent,” said Grigore-Kalev Stoicescu, chair of Estonia’s National Defence Committee.
However, questions remain about Estonia’s capacity to enforce such measures. With just eight commissioned naval vessels focused on mine clearance and coastal patrol, former Navy Commander Jüri Saska expressed skepticism: “If I were the captain of a ship, how should I sink a vessel whose crew I evacuated myself? After all, this vessel no longer poses a danger to critical infrastructure.”
Recent cable breaks in the Baltic Sea have raised concerns about hybrid warfare and possible Russian sabotage. While no direct link to Moscow has been established, regional governments have increased naval patrols and intelligence sharing.
As of Friday, the ship remained under investigation, and Estonia was continuing talks with Djibouti to confirm its registration status.
