UK, EU to tighten grip on Russia's 'shadow fleet' in Baltic seas

The UK and EU countries plan to hunt down tankers from Russia's "shadow fleet." A special group is set to develop specific actions to pursue and eliminate ships that enable Russia to circumvent sanctions and conduct espionage activities.

During the European Political Community meeting, which will be held on Thursday under the leadership of Prime Minister Keir Starmer in the UK, European maritime countries will create a special group composed of international officials and experts to "take specific actions" aimed at eliminating Russia's "shadow fleet" from the Baltic and North Seas, Bloomberg reports.

Getting rid of the "shadow fleet" requires consistent actions. As highlighted by money.pl, international maritime law, which ensures the freedom of navigation, complicates the automatic detention of these ships. Additionally, these vessels often operate under the flags of third countries, making their identification difficult.

According to Bloomberg, the first step will be close cooperation and exchange of information about the Russian fleet to coordinate responses to threats posed by these vessels and entities facilitating the operation of the shadow fleet. Cooperation will also involve the private sector.

What actions are being discussed? The plan to pursue tankers from the "shadow fleet," also known as the "ghost armada," transporting Russian oil in violation of sanctions, involves using the Danish straits as natural checkpoints for the ships passing through them.

According to the plan, Denmark could detain tankers passing through its straits without Western insurance. The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea allows states to inspect ships that may pose a threat to their environment.

The problem concerns the ability to detain the ships. Whether Denmark can stop and inspect all suspicious tankers and what to do if they refuse to comply is an open question.

According to one Bloomberg source, the new plan may include additional sanctions against ships in the "shadow fleet." As the agency highlighted, stricter restrictions are already having an effect. Of the approximately 50 ships that have faced restrictions in the US, UK, and EU since last October, hardly any have been involved in oil transport.

Russia's "shadow fleet" is becoming increasingly challenging in the Baltic Sea. The Kremlin uses ships registered in various countries under so-called flags of convenience for transporting Russian oil, helping to circumvent sanctions. They also pose a significant threat to the security of Baltic countries.

Swedish services suspect that tankers from the "shadow fleet" may also be used for espionage purposes, creating additional security risks. However, Europe is not helpless. According to experts, surveillance of Danish waters can be improved, and maritime safety and environmental regulations can be effectively enforced.

According to experts, Russia's "shadow fleet" consists of old, worn-out ships that often do not meet safety standards. Their presence in the Baltic, a sea with a special supervision status, poses a severe ecological threat.

Dr. Damian Szacawa, an assistant professor at the Institute of International Relations UMCS and a senior analyst at the Baltic Team of the Centre for Eastern Studies in Lublin, explained in an interview with Money.pl that the Baltic Sea is a protected sea with a special supervision status. Meanwhile, as much as 60% of Russia's maritime oil exports are transported through the Baltic Sea.

"Ships entering it should meet strict criteria, including emission standards and very specific technical conditions, such as double hulls that would prevent leaks in case of collisions and increase safety," he explained.

Meanwhile, incidents involving ships from third countries used for transporting Russian oil are increasing, as reported by money.pl.

Like Poland and Sweden, Denmark has expressed concerns about Russia's "shadow fleet." The Danish straits, through which tankers from Russia pass, are becoming sites of difficult-to-control incidents. The high risk is associated with the possibility of these ships escaping international jurisdiction.