Germany forces Russian ‘shadow fleet’ tanker to turn away from Baltic Sea
REUTERS/Tatiana Meel
Arcusat, an oil tanker registered in maritime databases as “never existed,” reversed course en route to German territorial waters in the Baltic Sea and is now heading toward Russia’s Arctic coast, Bloomberg reported on Jan. 16.
German authorities are believed to have compelled the vessel to turn back, the report said. According to tracking data, the tanker passed through the narrow strait between Denmark and Sweden, signaling a destination in Finland’s Gulf of Bothnia. Early this week, however, it abruptly changed direction and now sails northward.
Ship brokers and oil traders have questioned the vessel’s true identity. In the Equasis database, Arcusat is listed as “never existed.” The International Maritime Organization’s ship registry also shows no record under the tanker’s IMO number.
German media say Berlin ordered the ship out of the Baltic Sea. The Federal Police declined to comment on an ongoing investigation. Bloomberg notes this is the first known instance of a European country expelling a “shadow fleet” vessel from Baltic waters. If other nations adopt the tactic, it could hinder Moscow’s ability to export crude oil from the region.
Available records suggest Arcusat was launched last year at a Chinese shipyard. Sources disagree on its flag: some list Tanzania, others Cameroon. Ship registries show the vessel first appeared in March 2023 under the name Linhai Huajie LH202313 with a “on order” status. It was to be delivered by Linhai Huajie in eastern China to Sempre Shipping Ltd. In April, the tanker vanished from all records as if never built.
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