The purpose is to investigate whether the vessel meets the requirements set out in international conventions and to prevent flag states from circumventing the rules.
"The inspection of Eagle S is a routine measure, but it can take several days. We are conducting the inspection so that the police operation and investigation are not disrupted," says Trafficom's maritime director Sanna Sonninen in a press release according to Hufvudstadsbladet.
If the inspection reveals serious deficiencies, the vessel can be taken out of operation until the problems are rectified.
Eagle S, which is flagged on the Cook Islands and is believed to belong to the Russian shadow fleet, is suspected of being behind a series of destroyed underwater cables between Estonia and Finland.
An eighth crew member is now suspected of a crime and has been banned from traveling, according to the Central Criminal Police, reports Yle. The criminal suspicions are currently gross sabotage and gross telecommunications offense.
In a previous port state control of the tanker, deficiencies were found in, among other things, fire safety and the sanitary conditions of the crew, writes the Finnish news agency STT, citing the organization Paris Mou, which promotes uniform port state control.
Other problems were also observed. For example, not all doors were watertight.
The previous inspection was carried out in Antwerp, Belgium in June 2023, when the vessel was flagged in the Marshall Islands and went by the name Norstar Intrepid.
