Estonian authorities have intercepted a Russian-linked oil tanker named the Kiwala on Friday morning as it sailed through Estonian territorial waters near Aegna Island in Muuga Bay, en route to the Russian port of Ust-Luga. The vessel, which was operating under the flag of Djibouti, was stopped by the Estonian Navy to verify its legal and registry status.
Though the crew presented a flag certificate, Djibouti’s maritime authority later confirmed that the Kiwala was not listed in its national ship registry, raising suspicions about the ship’s legitimacy. The vessel was not flying any national flag at the time of interception — a violation of international maritime law, according to Navy Commander Ivo Värk.
The Kiwala is currently being held under guard by three Estonian naval vessels while undergoing further inspection.
“We are ensuring the vessel poses no threat to maritime safety or regional security,” said Värk during a press briefing.
According to Veiko Kommusaar, Deputy Chief of Estonia’s Police and Border Guard Board, the Kiwala is subject to EU sanctions. The vessel is owned by Tirad Shipping, a Mauritius-based company whose only known asset is the Kiwala. Previously, the tanker had changed ownership several times, including Turkish and Indian shipping firms.
On board were 24 individuals, including a Chinese captain and crew members reportedly from Mauritania.
The incident occurred just 48 hours after the Estonian Parliament passed new legislation granting its Defense Forces the right to use force against vessels in the Baltic Sea that pose security risks. The law is a response to an uptick in suspected acts of sabotage, including damage to undersea cables and other critical maritime infrastructure, which Estonian intelligence believes are linked to Russian state actors.
The Kiwala’s detention highlights growing tensions in the Baltic region, where NATO members are increasingly on alert over suspected hybrid operations and irregular maritime traffic linked to Russian efforts to disrupt infrastructure and undermine regional stability.
The outcome of Estonia’s inspection could set a precedent for how EU and NATO nations handle flagged and unflagged suspicious vessels, especially those believed to be operating under false registries or involved in sanction evasion.