Dozens of Russian “shadow fleet” vessels fell under EU sanctions: Bloomberg revealed details

It is noted that the “black list” includes not only oil tankers, but also general purpose vessels and LNG carriers.

The European Union has imposed restrictions on more than two dozen ships, including 17 of which were carrying oil for Moscow. The EU sanctions follow similar measures taken by the UK.

Bloomberg writes that the tanker Robon, which was caught transferring Russian oil last year, and the Andromeda Star, which sank off the coast of Denmark earlier this year, were also included in the “black list” of ships .

Sanctions prevent access to European ports and the ability to sell, charter, operate or crew sanctioned vessels. The restrictions also prohibit European operators from providing supplies and services such as insurance, brokerage, financing and bunkering, as well as from participating in or receiving services from ship-to-ship transfers or any other transfer of cargo from those ships.

A total of 27 vessels were sanctioned, including two vessels storing liquefied natural gas and general purpose vessels carrying prohibited goods or associated with sanctioned entities. New vessels may be added to subsequent sanctions packages.

Russian Shadow Fleet – latest news

After the invasion of Ukraine, Russia formed a fleet of several hundred ships serving oil exports. These vessels often operate outside the control of industry standard service providers, calling their safety levels into question.

Last year, the International Maritime Organization called on member states to prevent illegal shadow fleet operations in resolution A.1192(33). The EU referred to this resolution in relation to 11 vessels against which sanctions were imposed.

On June 13, Britain announced sweeping sanctions against Russia, including its first attempt to crack down on a shadowy fleet of tankers carrying Kremlin oil and a key Moscow insurance company.

Bloomberg later noted that the same decision was being considered in the EU, and this could be a decisive step towards defeating Russia’s shadow fleet .

(C)UNIAN 2024