Estonia’s navy has intercepted the tanker Kiwala traveling to Russia, uncovering its operation without a national flag and connections to Russia’s shadow fleet designed to evade international sanctions.
At a Glance
- Estonian naval forces detained the oil tanker Kiwala on April 11, 2025, for lacking a valid flag and proper documentation
- The vessel is part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” used to evade Western sanctions and was already under EU sanctions since February
- Djibouti’s naval authority could not find the Kiwala in its national registry despite the vessel claiming to operate under their flag
- The ship has 24 crew members including a Chinese captain and was traveling from India to Russia when intercepted
- This marks the first time Estonia has detained a vessel from Russia’s shadow fleet
Shadow Fleet Vessel Detained in Baltic Waters
In a significant maritime security operation, the Estonian Navy detained the oil tanker Kiwala in the Baltic Sea on April 11, 2025. The vessel, which was bound for Russia’s port of Ust-Luga from Sikka, India, was intercepted after authorities discovered it was operating without a national flag in Estonian territorial waters. This violation of international maritime law prompted immediate action from Estonian naval forces who deployed ships and helicopters to board and inspect the suspicious vessel.
The Kiwala has been identified as part of Russia’s “shadow fleet,” a collection of aging, poorly maintained vessels used to circumvent Western sanctions imposed following Russia’s actions in Ukraine. These vessels typically operate with minimal regulatory oversight, inadequate insurance coverage, and questionable registration status, posing significant environmental and security risks in international waters. The ship is currently anchored in Muuga Bay under the watchful eye of Estonian warships while investigations continue.
Sanctions Evasion and Maritime Violations
Estonian authorities have revealed that the Kiwala was already under sanctions by the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Canada prior to its detention. The vessel had claimed to be sailing under Djibouti’s flag, but when contacted, Djibouti’s naval authority confirmed they had no record of the ship in their national registry. This deception is a common tactic employed by vessels in Russia’s shadow fleet, which frequently change ownership structures to obscure direct connections to Russia.
“Estonian naval forces detained the oil tanker Kiwala, part of Russia’s shadow fleet, early on 11 April for document verification, legal status checks, and a safety inspection,” Estonian Navy Commander Commodore Ivo Värk announced.
Estonia’s Department of Transportation is conducting thorough inspections of the vessel’s technical condition, insurance documentation, and crew certifications. Maritime experts note that vessels like the Kiwala are typically employed to transport crude oil and petroleum products from Russia to third countries willing to accept shipments despite international sanctions. The detention represents a significant step in Baltic nations’ efforts to counter Russia’s attempts to bypass international restrictions.
Growing Baltic Security Concerns
The detention of the Kiwala highlights the growing security challenges in the Baltic Sea region, where Estonian authorities have reported an increase in suspicious maritime activity over the past year. The Estonian government has been inspecting vessels for compliance with insurance and registration requirements amid regional concerns about potential sabotage to undersea infrastructure, including vital communications cables and energy pipelines that traverse the Baltic seabed.
“It’s no secret that over the past year, many vessels have appeared in the Gulf of Finland without proper documentation. We can confidently say these are part of the shadow fleet. Ships like this are actually not allowed to operate. Estonia exercised its right to detain the vessel for inspection.” Deputy Director General of the Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) Veiko Kommusaar said, according to ERR.
Baltic nations, including Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, have been seeking legal methods to address the threats posed by Russia’s shadow fleet operations in their waters. Currently, international sanctions only prohibit port entry for such vessels but do not provide clear authority for detention in territorial waters. Security experts are calling for Western countries to include specific provisions in sanctions regimes that would directly address the growing issue of Russia’s shadow fleet and provide Baltic states with stronger legal tools to protect their maritime domains from such violations.
