Monitoring Tankers in the Russian Oil Trade in the Gulf of Finland

As the investigation continues into the damage caused to undersea cables by a tanker in the Russian oil trade, the Finnish Coast Guard is now keeping a close watch on two other tankers in the same trade that are currently in the Gulf of Finland. One of the tankers, the Panama-flagged product tanker Jazz, reported engine troubles while another tanker, the Guinea-Bissau registered Line, has been circling in the area for several weeks.

Engine Troubles Aboard the Jazz

The Finnish Coast Guard received a report on December 29 that the Jazz was experiencing engine trouble south of Hankoniemi at the mouth of the Gulf of Finland. The crew of the 50,548 dwt vessel, owned by Turkey’s Bekmezci Group, reported that they were working on repairs. The Coast Guard dispatched a tugboat and patrol ship to ensure the vessel’s safety as it anchored south of Hanko.

Despite the engine troubles, the Finnish Coast Guard assessed the risk as low since the vessel was traveling in ballast from Port Sudan to load in Russia. The Jazz is among the tankers connected to the Russian oil trade, with many of its fleet recently renamed to evade Western sanctions.

Concerns Surrounding the Line

The Line, a 114,880 dwt crude oil tanker, has been lingering in the Gulf of Finland since mid-December, waiting to enter the Russian port. The vessel, sanctioned by the European Union in December, is also managed from Turkey and was part of the Berks fleet before switching to the Guinea-Bissau flag in March 2024.

Deputy Command of the Gulf of Finland Coast Guard District, Mikko Hirvi, reassured the public that the Line posed no significant environmental risk despite its prolonged presence in the area. Speculation suggests that the vessel’s inability to anchor securely is due to the strong winds in the region.

Weather Challenges and Surveillance Efforts

The Finnish Coast Guard is closely monitoring the tankers in the Gulf of Finland, especially during adverse weather conditions. Strong winds have been cited as a factor affecting the movement of vessels in the area, with several tankers reported to be circling due to the challenging conditions.

While the exact impact of the weather on the tankers remains to be seen, the Coast Guard’s proactive surveillance aims to ensure the safety of both the vessels and the surrounding environment. The ongoing monitoring and response efforts demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding the Gulf of Finland amid the complexities of the Russian oil trade.