Prospects of the confiscated 'Eventin' remain uncertain - Uncertainty Surrounds the Fate of Seized "Eventin" Moving Forward
Title: German Seizure of "Eventin" Oil Tanker: An Ongoing Legal Battle
Situated off the picturesque Rügen island for months, the fate of the oil tanker "Eventin" remains unclear amidst ongoing legal battles. The German customs authorities have filed an appeal with the Federal Finance Court against a provisional decision by the Finance Court in Greifswald that suspended the immediate seizure of the ship and its cargo. A ruling on the appeal is yet to be made, with no hearing dates set.
The vessel, laden with about 100,000 tons of oil, has been in the custody of the customs authorities since its seizure in March. The "Eventin," part of Russia's notorious shadow fleet, had run aground in the Baltic Sea in January. Since then, the previous crew and captain have been replaced, according to the General Customs Directorate in Bonn.
While they maintain contact with the current crew and oversee their supply, the exact timeframe for a decision from the Federal Finance Court is indeterminate. The shipowner, challenging the seizure order, argues for "doubts about its legality."
The main proceedings concerning the shipowner's objection are being conducted at the main customs office. The tanker, sailing under the Panama flag, is worth an estimated 40 million euros.
In January 2025, the "Eventin" was found adrift near Rügen due to mechanical failure. This incident precipitated its seizure by German authorities, marking a significant move against Russia's shadow fleet that violates EU and international sanctions. The legal proceedings have broader geopolitical implications, sparking debate over expanded coastal state intervention rights [2][5].
So, as of mid-2025, the "Eventin" remains moored off Rügen as the court battle continues, without a definitive timeline for resolution at the Federal Finance Court in Bonn.
- Oil tanker
- Eventin
- Legal battle
- Federal Finance Court
- Customs authority
- Rügen
- Custody
- Seizure
- Shadow fleet
- EU sanctions
[1] The Maritime Executive
[2] Fairplay
[3] The Guardian
[4] Reuters
[5] CNBC
- The legal battle over the "Eventin" oil tanker, currently in the custody of German customs authorities, involves questions about the legality of the seizure and has significant implications for employment policies within the maritime industry, given the ship's status as part of Russia's shadow fleet that violates EU and international sanctions.
- As the Federal Finance Court weighs the appeal against the provisional decision that suspended the immediate seizure of the "Eventin" and its cargo, the energy sector closely watches the proceedings, with potential repercussions for financial policies and investment in the maritime industry.
