Tensions in the Baltic Sea: Finland to inspect Russian tanker Eagle S

“On January 2, 2025, the Finnish transport and communications agency Traficom will begin a control inspection of the Egle S,” announced in a press release the director of Traficom, Sanna Sonninen, specifying that this control took place in addition to the investigation initiated by the Finnish police. “We are carrying out the inspection in a way that does not interfere with police operations and the investigation.”

“If the port State inspection finds that the ship does not comply in certain respects with ship safety regulations and orders or with international agreements between the ship and Finland, the ship may be obliged to correct the defects and deficiencies detected. If the defect or defects are sufficiently serious, Traficom may stop the use of the vessel until the defects or defects are corrected,” Traficom also states.

The Eagle S, flying the flag of the Cook Islands, is suspected of having damaged the EstLink 2 submarine electric cable linking Finland to Estonia on Christmas Day in the Baltic Sea. The ship has since been boarded and moved under escort to the harbor of the port of Kilpilahti, 40 km east of Helsinki, where inspectors are inspecting it and questioning the crew of around twenty members, seven of whom are suspected and prohibited from traveling?

The Eagle S tanker is suspected of belonging to the Russian “ghost fleet”, ships that transport Russian crude oil and petroleum products under embargo.

Recall that many similar incidents have taken place in the Baltic Sea since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Actions targeting energy and communications infrastructure in the context of the “hybrid war” between Russia and the Western countries. The Baltic Sea is bordered by several NATO member countries and Moscow also has several entry points there.