Maroc - ENG.UATV.UA - A La Une - 27/Jan 16:04

Russian Shadow Fleet Tankers Warned by 14 European Countries

A group of 14 European countries has issued a joint public warning to vessels belonging to Russia’s so-called shadow fleet operating in the Baltic and North Seas, raising pressure on tankers deemed to pose risks to maritime safety, UATV English reports. According to Bloomberg, the warning was published in a joint statement by coastal and maritime nations, including Sweden, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. The signatories stressed that ships navigating international waters must sail under one recognized national flag and are required to carry valid safety and insurance documentation in line with international maritime regulations. Tankers that fail to meet these requirements, the statement said, will be treated as “vessels without nationality.” This classification significantly expands the legal grounds for inspection, detention, or other forms of intervention by coastal states. The so-called shadow fleet is estimated to consist of around 1,500 tankers transporting Russian, Iranian, and Venezuelan oil worldwide. These vessels are often older ships that frequently operate under false or rapidly changing flags, allowing them to evade sanctions and avoid compliance with international safety standards. By designating non-compliant tankers as stateless vessels, European countries aim to strengthen their ability to intervene in operations that threaten maritime safety or violate sanctions regimes. The joint declaration also formalizes steps already taken by several European states in recent weeks, further intensifying pressure on vessels that play a critical role in Russia’s oil exports. Separately, the 14 countries accused Russia of interfering with satellite positioning and navigation systems, actions they said pose a serious threat to international shipping and maritime safety. As previously reported, on January 22 French President Emmanuel Macron announced that the French Navy had detained an oil tanker traveling from Russia that was subject to international sanctions. The post Russian Shadow Fleet Tankers Warned by 14 European Countries appeared first on Freedom.