Eagle S detained for a second time by Finnish court
The Helsinki District Court ordered the seizure of the tanker accused of cutting cables on December 25, 2024
Three companies that owned undersea cables, which were allegedly damaged by the tanker, applied to the court for the seizure of the vessel
THE tanker accused of damaging undersea cables in the Gulf of Finland has been seized again by Finnish authorities, Finnish state broadcaster Yle reported.
Cook Islands-flagged Eagle S (IMO: 9329760) was seized by the Helsinki District Court, after Finnish companies Fingrid and Elisa, and Estonian company Elering, applied to the court for seizure based on liability for damages.
Elering and Fingrid own the Estlink2 power cable, which connects Finland and Estonia, while Elisa owns two telecommunications cables between Finland and Estonia.
Yle reported that the court, which acts as a maritime court, found it is probable the three companies had maritime rights claims under Finland’s Maritime Act.
The seizure is in effect until further notice.
This second seizure follows a capture by Finnish police in the immediate aftermath of the incident, which took place on December 25, 2024.
A lawyer representing the owners of Eagle S, Dubai-based Caravella LLC FZ, said the company may choose to abandon the tanker.
Herman Ljungberg said Finnish authorities had “no jurisdiction whatsoever to board the vessel and conduct investigations”, although the seizure took place in Finnish waters.