Starting January 19, Estonia has prohibited vessels bound for and arriving from Russia from receiving certain services in its territorial waters and inland seas. This ban has been met with strong criticism from local companies that argue it limits services not only for Russian-bound ships but also for other vessels. As a result, they are losing revenue, as ships seeking these services are turning to neighboring countries instead.

Entrepreneurs in the maritime industry have expressed concern over the financial impact of this ban. Kaido Peremees, the head of Tuukritööde OÜ, highlighted that their ability to conduct underwater inspections and repair work on vessels has been severely restricted. He noted that previously, they frequently inspected ships potentially damaged by ice, but the recent regulations have forced these ships to seek services further away in places like Ventspils and Gdansk, particularly those heading through the Danish Straits.

The Estonian Ministry of Defense justified this move as a measure to encourage vessels servicing Finland's ports to use non-Russian ships instead. However, the repercussions for local companies could be significant, as they are facing increased competition from foreign service providers and the loss of potential income, which could have long-term implications for the maritime sector in Estonia.