August M
A growing number of oil tankers linked to Russia are raising alarm in northern Europe.
Authorities warn that risky behaviour at sea could trigger a major environmental disaster, reports o2.pl.
Dangerous incidents
Finland’s Coast Guard has reported a series of troubling situations involving tankers in the Gulf of Finland.
According to o2.pl, officials say some vessels have lost course or failed to respond to repeated contact attempts.
In one case, a helicopter had to be sent after a crew did not answer calls.
Officers only managed to get a response after boarding the ship.
Crews under scrutiny
Authorities point to concerns over the competence of crews operating these vessels.
According to o2.pl, the so-called “shadow fleet” often includes older tankers with questionable maintenance.
Some ships are reportedly operated by underqualified sailors.
Officials say this combination increases the likelihood of serious maritime incidents.
Navigation risks
Technology issues are adding to the danger.
According to o2.pl, GPS signal interference linked to regional electronic activity has disrupted navigation.
Some crews rely heavily on digital systems and struggle without them.
This has led to vessels drifting toward hazards, including islands.
Environmental fears
Experts warn that even a single accident could have severe consequences.
According to o2.pl, environmental groups fear a large oil spill in the Baltic Sea.
Preparations are already underway to limit potential damage.
Finland has begun installing fixed points to quickly deploy oil containment barriers if needed.
Traffic surge
Shipping activity in the area has returned to high levels.
According to o2.pl, between five and ten tankers head toward Russian ports daily.
Each vessel carries large quantities of oil, increasing the scale of potential risk.
Authorities say the situation requires constant monitoring to prevent a disaster.
Sources: o2.pl, PAP, Ilta-Sanomat
