Vladislav Grigoriev21:04, 30.01.26

British officials have received advice that sanctioned tankers could be detained and confiscated.

At least eight “shadow fleet” tankers are moving through the English Channel , despite the UK government declaring a crackdown on the vessels, the BBC reports .

It is noted that British officials have received advice that sanctioned tankers could be detained and confiscated. However, these powers have not yet been used.

According to the MarineTraffic portal, which tracks maritime traffic, eight sanctioned tankers are currently navigating the English Channel. Another four tankers are heading for the passage from the North Sea.

Journalists emphasized that some of these vessels, including the Kusto, currently sailing south of the Isle of Wight, have made multiple voyages across the English Channel over the past year. Specifically, the Kusto loaded cargo at the Russian port of Ust-Luga ten days ago.

The UK Department for Transport has assured that the country intends to “crack down and deter the activities of shadow fleet vessels.” A Department for Transport spokesperson told reporters that, starting in 2024, more than 600 vessels suspected of being part of the “shadow fleet” have been “questioned for insurance coverage.”

(C)UNIAN 2026