The Russian border guard detained the vessel Västerbotten. This ship was sailing under the Cypriot flag to the port of Sillamäe.
The ship passed through Russian territorial waters. This is permitted. In the evening at 5 o'clock, the ship began moving again.
The police confirmed that the ship had stopped. The Vesselfinder app showed that the ship continued its journey to Sillamäe.
Before the stop, the ship passed through Russian territorial waters. Russia, Estonia and Finland have agreed that ships are allowed to sail there. It is a safer place for large vessels.
In 2025, Russia also stopped another ship. It was the first such incident.
To avoid such situations, the Estonian Transport Administration decided to change the ship routes. Now ships sail through Estonian territorial waters.
Are Piel, the head of the Transport Administration, said this is not a usual case. However, the state has the right to inspect ships in its territorial waters.
Piel said that ships have the right to pass peacefully. But the state may inspect them.
Russia temporarily imposed restrictions, but these have now been lifted.
Piel said that there are few ships sailing to Sillamäe. To avoid problems, ships do not sail through Russian waters.
The Estonian Transport Administration does not know why Russia stopped the ship.