Greek authorities seized Russian-flagged tanker PEGAS citing reasons that the sanctions imposed by the European Union and the NATO on ships of Russian interests. The tanker was sailing off Karystos, south of the island of Evia.
Only the 250-meter long tanker was seized but not its crude oil cargo.
The decision for the seizure was issued by the Greek Authority for Combating Money Laundering
Tanker PEGAS had a mechanical failure and was accompanied by a tug to Peloponnese. On April 14, and due to adverse weather conditions by Cavo Doro, the tanker found a safe anchorage in the Gulf of Karystos where it was seized on April 14.
Its crude oil cargo was reportedly supposed to be reloaded to another tanker. On board of PEGAS is a crew of 19 Russian nationals.
PEGAS position via marinetraffic.com
Media report that according to the procedure, the tanker management company will try to prove through documents that PEGAS is not on the list of sanctions.
According some media, another tanker of Russian interests, the VF TANKER 2, entered the Gulf of Karystos on April 17 and remained anchored there. Tuesday noon, it remains unclear whether also this tanker has been seized or is/would be allowed to continue its schedule to the Black Sea.
