World · Europe · 6 hrs ago
Tanker carrying Russian oil loses power near Rügen
The tanker Sled lost power while carrying Russian crude through the Baltic Sea on Sunday.
The nearly 200-metre ship was between the German island of Rügen and Denmark, in a busy shipping channel.
It was reportedly travelling from Russia’s Primorsk port to Skagen in Denmark, but its exact position and whether it was still drifting remained unclear.
A German emergency tug was sent to help, though it was not confirmed that a tow had been connected.
The ship may be linked to Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, which is used in part to get around Western oil sanctions, but that link has not been confirmed.
No oil leak or injuries were reported, and the cause and extent of the mechanical problem were unknown.
German and Danish authorities were monitoring the situation, with no further outcome reported.
The tanker Sled, carrying Russian crude oil, lost power in the Baltic Sea between Germany’s Rügen island and Denmark’s Møn.
The nearly 200-metre-long vessel was reportedly travelling from Primorsk, Russia, to Skagen, Denmark.
A German emergency tug, VB Bremen Fighter, was sent to the tanker.
It was unclear whether the tanker had been connected to a tug or was still drifting.
No oil spill, environmental damage or injuries had been reported.
Reports said two other Russian ships may have accompanied the tanker, but this was not confirmed.
- Who
- The tanker Sled, which sails under the flag of the Bahamas.
- What
- It developed a problem with its propulsion and was apparently unable to manoeuvre under its own power.
- When
- The problem was reported on 18 October 2026, after the tanker slowed during the night.
- Where
- In the Baltic Sea’s Kadetrinne, between Rügen and the Danish island of Møn.
- Why
- The cause of the propulsion problem is not known.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The tanker slowed, reportedly northeast of Mecklenburg Bight.
Sled drifted in the Baltic Sea towards Denmark, apparently unable to manoeuvre.
The emergency tug VB Bremen Fighter was sent to the tanker.
German federal police observed two other Russian ships but did not inspect them because they did not enter German waters.
- Tanker
- Sled
- Cargo
- Russian crude oil; the amount aboard was not publicly known
- Flag
- Bahamas
- Length
- About 189 metres, described in reports as nearly 200 metres
- Route
- Primorsk, Russia, to Skagen, Denmark
- Response
- German emergency tug VB Bremen Fighter was sent to the vessel