Finnish authorities detain tanker Eagle S over safety concerns
The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom) reported the detention of the tanker Eagle S due to numerous technical deficiencies. The ship, suspected of damaging cables in the Baltic Sea, cannot continue its journey.
Inspectors from Traficom, during an inspection on the Chinese ship Eagle S, discovered 32 deficiencies that disqualify the vessel from further navigation. On board and below, inspectors identified problems with fire safety and navigation systems.
The Traficom agency announced on Wednesday that the tanker Eagle S's technical deficiencies were so severe that it had to be detained. Under no circumstances is it allowed to continue its journey.
Damaged cables at the bottom of the Baltic Sea: Finnish inspectors determined it cannot sail further
The tanker Eagle S, built-in 2006 and part of the so-called shadow fleet, sailing under the flag of the Cook Islands, is suspected of damaging cables at the bottom of the Baltic Sea. The vessel was detained on 25 December.
The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation is conducting the investigation, and several crew members are suspected. Finnish authorities suspect that an anchor dragged along the seabed caused the cable damage. The Finns found the anchor on 7 January 2025.
The vessel is currently anchored near the oil port in Porvoo. The Finnish Customs Service is investigating potential sanctions violations related to the transportation of Russian petrol. The crew, consisting of Georgian and Indian nationals, cooperated during the inspection. The tanker belongs to the so-called Russian shadow fleet.
