Finland allowed the ship carrying sanctioned steel from Russia to Israel to continue its journey

Finnish customs and the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom have completed an inspection of the bulk carrier Fitburg, whose anchor chain is suspected of causing damage to a telecommunications cable linking Helsinki and Tallinn. This was reported by the country’s State Television and Radio.

Ten problems have been identified on the ship, none of which threaten the safety of the bulk carrier and its crew. Team members began work to eliminate them. Traficom director of maritime affairs Sanna Sonninen noted that the condition of the Fitburg was consistent with the age of the ship.

Customs discovered on board a ship heading from St. Petersburg to Haifa 9,000 tons of structural steel, which is subject to EU sanctions imposed against Russia. However, since the ship entered Finnish territorial waters at the request of the authorities, it was decided not to initiate criminal proceedings, provided that Fitburg leaves them.

The ship’s crew consists of 14 people, including citizens of Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. An Azerbaijani citizen, whose position has not been named, was arrested by a Helsinki court on suspicion of involvement in the cable damage.

Let us remind you that the ship, sailing under the flag of the Caribbean island state of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, was detained by the Finnish coast guard on December 31.