Decision on oil tanker 'Eventin' on December 11 - German Court to Decide Fate of Putin’s Stranded Oil Tanker *Eventin* Next Week
A German court is set to rule on the fate of the Russian oil tanker Eventin, which has been anchored off Rügen since January. The vessel, part of Putin's sanctioned shadow fleet, was rescued after drifting helplessly in the Baltic Sea with a full cargo of oil. Authorities have tried to seize the ship but have so far failed to enforce the order.
The Eventin first made headlines in January when it lost control in the Baltic Sea. Loaded with around 100,000 tons of oil, the tanker was later towed to safety and has remained anchored near Rügen ever since. German officials ordered its seizure along with its cargo, but enforcement has proven impossible.
The case has now reached the Federal Fiscal Court after the Main Customs Office appealed a ruling by the Finance Court of Greifswald. As part of an interim legal protection procedure, the higher court will deliver its decision on December 11. The verdict will be published on the court’s website at 10:00 AM that day.
The Eventin is linked to Putin's shadow fleet, a group of vessels used to bypass Western sanctions. Its prolonged presence off Germany's coast has drawn attention to the challenges of enforcing measures against such ships.
The upcoming ruling will determine whether German authorities can legally seize the Eventin and its oil. If the decision favours the customs office, enforcement may still face practical hurdles. The case highlights the difficulties in policing sanctions on Russia's maritime operations.
