Overview
- On January 10, federal police confronted the tanker Tavian by helicopter, found a forged flag and identification, denied entry to German waters, and the vessel turned back after the warning.
- German authorities have recently refused passage to multiple Russian-linked vessels as enforcement against the shadow fleet intensifies.
- The Tavian has appeared on a U.S. sanctions list since 2021, underscoring cross-border scrutiny of the tanker network supporting Russian oil exports.
- Prior actions included barring the research ship Akademik Boris Petrov and boarding the tanker Chariot Tide after it anchored near an undersea cable and then switched flags while under watch.
- Senior lawmakers urged maximal use of legal tools over safety and security risks, and security sources report fewer Russian naval escorts for these tankers, creating more room for German action.