Shadow Fleet of Russian Oil Tankers: A Growing Challenge to Maritime Safety and Sanctions EnforcementOn the western Baltic Sea, coastguard officers are frequently encountering Russias shadow fleet of oil tankers, suspected of circumventing international sanctions on Russian oil exports. These vessels, often old, with unclear ownership, or lacking proper insurance, pose a significant concern for maritime authorities.Since the Ukraine invasion, many Western nations have imposed sanctions on Russian energy, leading Moscow to allegedly use these tankers for oil shipments with little transparency. Some are even suspected of more serious activities, like undersea sabotage or altering location data.Coastguards and navies face a delicate situation, as freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle at sea. While they can intervene if a crime is suspected, the risk of escalating tensions with Russia often limits their actions.A troubling new development is the increasing number of shadow ships sailing without a valid national flag, rendering them stateless and without proper insurance. Experts warn that if one of these floating rust buckets causes an accident, like a major oil spill, it would be nearly impossible to hold anyone accountable for the costs.This situation highlights a growing challenge to international maritime law and safety, as Europe increases its monitoring efforts. The dark fleet continues to operate, raising concerns about environmental risks and security. The ongoing standoff underscores the complexities of enforcing sanctions in international waters and the potential for serious consequences.

The Daily News Now! — Every city. Every story. AI-powered.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.