Reuters: EU prepares legal framework to start inspecting ships of Russia's "shadow" fleet
Photo: Vesselfinder

The European Union is preparing to tighten control over the so-called Russian "shadow" fleet of oil tankers that help Moscow circumvent sanctions. This is stated in a document of the European External Action Service (EEAS), writes Reuters.

The EEAS proposes that EU countries support a maritime declaration that would allow member states to inspect tankers suspected of transporting sanctioned Russian oil.

This is a new initiative of the European Union aimed at limiting Russia's revenues from energy exports, which are used to finance the war against Ukraine.

The document states that EU countries have recently been more active in the fight against the "shadow fleet". For example, France detained the Boracay vessel, Estonia – Kiwala, Germany – Eventin, and Finland – Eagle S.

The proposed declaration envisages the possibility of pre-agreed bilateral agreements between the EU countries and the states whose flags are flown by vessels of the Russian "shadow" fleet on ship inspections, as well as steps to combat fictitious tanker registrations.

According to EEAS estimates, the shadow fleet includes between 600 and 1,400 vessels, and Brussels has already imposed sanctions on more than 400 of them. After the adoption of the 19th package of sanctions, expected in the near future, the restrictions will affect about 560 tankers.

The EU is also planning to ban imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) earlier than planned – from January 1, 2027, and to crack down on tanker refueling services at sea (so-called bunkering).