BERLIN (Reuters) – Germany has confiscated a decrepit tanker found adrift off its northern coast in January that is believed to be part of a shadow fleet used by Russia to circumvent oil sanctions, the Spiegel news magazine reported on Friday, citing security sources.
The Panama-flagged ship, called Eventin, was secured by German maritime authorities after being found off the Baltic Sea island of Ruegen, prompting Berlin to sharply rebuke Moscow.
Spiegel reported that a confiscation order has been issued for the tanker, meaning the vessel and its cargo of around 100,000 metric tons of oil, worth some 40 million euros ($43.33 million), now become German property.
The local customs authority and the German foreign office did not immediately respond to emailed requests for comment.
The ageing tanker, which had been travelling from Russia to Egypt, also sparked environmental concerns over a potential oil spill.
($1 = 0.9231 euros)
(Reporting by Rachel More; Editing by Frances Kerry)
