Owner of seized tanker sues Belgium over €10m bond

The owner of the oil tanker Ethera, which was boarded by Belgian forces earlier this month, is taking legal action against the Belgian state over a €10 million bond imposed on the vessel.

The tanker was intercepted on 1 March by the Belgian army during Operation Blue Intruder and has since been held in the port of Zeebrugge. Authorities say the 180-metre vessel is linked to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet”, ships used to transport Russian oil while avoiding international sanctions.

Following an inspection, officials identified 45 violations on board. These included false certificates linked to the ship sailing under a Guinean flag, as well as several technical faults. Belgian authorities subsequently imposed a bond of €10,020,000. The tanker will only be allowed to leave port once the bond is paid and a new inspection confirms the vessel complies with maritime rules.

However, the shipowner has now issued a legal summons against Belgium, reportedly arguing that the boarding operation was unlawful and that the vessel should be released. Belgian justice officials say the move is not unexpected given the large financial stakes involved. They added that the owner is likely exploring all legal options to avoid paying the bond.

The Ethera remains under judicial seizure in Zeebrugge while the case proceeds.

Seized shadow fleet tanker fined 10m euros and subjected to passenger ban

A tanker linked to Russia's shadow fleet has been fined more than 10 million euros after it was boarded by the Belgian army last weekend. Justice...

belganewsagency.eu

Meanwhile, the 21 crew members are still required to stay on board and are not permitted to enter Belgian territory. They include a Russian captain, several officers from India, Georgia and Indonesia, and 13 other crew members from India. The ship’s owner is responsible for providing their food and welfare during the detention.

Belgian authorities say there is no deadline for paying the bond. The owner can either pay the amount and fix the ship’s problems or wait for the administrative and criminal procedures to conclude, which could lead to a final fine.

If any eventual fine is not paid, officials say the vessel could ultimately be seized and sold.

^{Oil tanker Ethera © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK}