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EU to pursue Russian shadow fleet tankers
The growing activity of the shadow fleet is a growing concern in Europe. It is estimated that it comprises up to 17% of the world's tanker fleet and transports more than 80% of all Russian crude oil.
European countries are considering large-scale detentions of Russian tankers in the Baltic Sea to block Moscow's ability to circumvent sanctions, and are negotiating new legislation that would give such actions legal force, Politico reports.
In particular, Finnish authorities had already detained the tanker Eagle S in December, suspecting it of damaging an undersea power line between Estonia and Finland. The vessel was carrying 100 barrels of oil from St. Petersburg. This detention signaled the opening of a new front in the fight against Russia's sanctions-evasion scheme.
According to the publication's sources, several scenarios are under consideration: using international law to arrest ships for environmental or piracy reasons, as well as jointly implementing new national laws to detain more Russian tankers in expanded maritime zones.
The growing activity of the shadow fleet is a growing concern in Europe. It is estimated that it comprises up to 17% of the world's tanker fleet and transports more than 80% of all Russian crude oil.
The Baltic Sea has become a key artery for this illicit trade: last year alone, 348 shadow fleet vessels left the sea, accounting for 40% of total Russian oil sales.
At the same time, NATO is strengthening its presence in the Baltic Sea. The representative of the alliance's Baltic Command, Petr Necz, stated that ships may be detained and inspected in NATO operations areas in exceptional cases, in particular if there is a threat to critical infrastructure. This is reported by the Military Publishing Institute.
“NATO leaders are increasingly viewing attacks on infrastructure as a threat to freedom of navigation, which can be grounds for the detention and inspection of vessels,” Nech explained.
He emphasized that the alliance's key focus is the constant demonstration of presence, strengthening intelligence, and developing modern technologies.
All 32 NATO member states have already joined Operation Baltic Sentry.
So now the fight against the Russian shadow fleet is gaining new momentum, and the Baltic Sea could become the arena of a large-scale confrontation between the West and Moscow.
