Estonia Reports Russian Interception of Tanker in Baltic Waters

By Andrius Sytas

TALLINN, May 18 (Reuters) – A Greek-owned oil tanker was detained by Russia shortly after departing from an Estonian port, according to the Estonian Foreign Ministry. Thay have informed NATO allies about this unexpected event.The Liberia-flagged vessel,Green Admire,left Sillamae port on Saturday at 18:40 GMT and was reported to be anchored near hogland Island in Russia by Sunday afternoon. The ship was en route to Rotterdam carrying a shipment of Estonia’s shale oil.

Estonia’s Transport Administration noted that the navigation route taken by the Green Admire is part of an established agreement between Estonia, Finland, and Russia. This channel allows ships to navigate safely through russian waters while avoiding shallows in Estonian territory. Though, moving forward, vessels will now be directed through Estonian waters for their journeys.

Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna commented on the situation: “This incident highlights Russia’s unpredictable actions.” He reassured that NATO allies were kept in the loop regarding these developments.

The Baltic Sea has become a hotspot for maritime tensions as NATO countries accuse Russia of trying to bypass sanctions and disrupt undersea infrastructure like cables and pipelines. Just days prior to this incident, estonia reported that a Russian fighter jet had entered NATO airspace over the Baltic while attempting to intercept another tanker believed to be part of Moscow’s so-called ‘shadow fleet’—a term used for vessels allegedly evading international sanctions.In light of these events, it’s clear that maritime security remains a pressing concern in this region. As nations navigate these turbulent waters—both literally and figuratively—the need for vigilance among allied forces is more critical than ever.

(Reporting by Andrius Sytas; Editing by Philippa Fletcher and peter Graff)
(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2025

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