Finland detains ship with russian fertilizers due to sanctions

The russian cargo ship Swem was detained in the port of Kotka due to EU sanctions against russia. The cargo vessel was to receive a cargo of fertilizers from a company owned by a Russian oligarch on the EU sanctions list.

Source. This was reported by the Finnish edition Yle.

Currently, the ship is outside the port, waiting for information on whether it is possible to obtain permission to leave the country. The Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is investigating the matter, was informed about the transportation of fertilizers last week.

"In cooperation with the authorities, we have found that the cargo includes fertilizers that are likely to belong to a person on the EU sanctions list. According to EU rules, the assets should be frozen if identified," the country's Foreign Ministry said.

The ministry did not say which oligarch it was.

The ministry says that the cargo will most likely be able to continue its journey after receiving permission: the cargo may be allowed through if it is heading to a third country and is necessary to ensure food production.

According to Kimmo Naski, Executive Director of the Port of Hamina-Kotka, this is the first time that EU sanctions have prevented cargo from moving through a Finnish port.

According to unconfirmed reports, the size of the fertilizer shipment stopped in Kotka is 20,000 tons. At current prices, the value of the cargo on the global market could be around EUR 10-12 million.

Background. As a reminder, a Ukrainian court seized assets of Russian oligarch Shelkov worth UAH 20 million.