Estonia to search all containers on detained vessel

The container ship Baltic Spirit has been moved to the port of Muuga near Tallinn after being detained on suspicion of involvement in smuggling. This was reported by the Estonian Public Broadcasting Corporation ERR on 4 February.

The vessel, flying the flag of the Bahamas, was stopped on the evening of 3 February near the island of Naissaar. The operation involved the Tax and Customs Department, a police special unit, and the Estonian Navy. The Baltic Spirit was traveling from Ecuador to St. Petersburg and entered Estonian waters for bunkering.

Representative of the Tax and Customs Department Pavel Prokopenko stated that after arriving at the port, a thorough inspection of the cargo will begin. «The vessel is currently in the pilotage zone and waiting for a free berth,» he clarified.

Head of the K-Commando unit Marek Aas noted the complexity of the upcoming work: «It must be understood that this is not a small vessel. It carries a large number of containers, each of which needs to be inspected. Therefore, the operation continues.» Estonian authorities emphasized that the 188-meter vessel is not part of the «shadow fleet» and is not under sanctions.

On board are 23 crew members, all Russian citizens. During the detention, the crew offered no resistance. A helicopter and a Navy ship were used to board the vessel.

Official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova commented on the situation: «Russia will act proportionally to the risks emanating from Estonia regarding vessels under the Russian flag.»