The European Union is seeking agreements with flag states that would permit EU authorities to board and inspect the shadow-fleet vessels Russia uses to evade sanctions, according to the Foreign Policy Chief, Kaja Kallas, as reported by Safety4sea.
EU pushes authorization to inspect shadow oil tankers
As highlighted, Russian crude oil exports and related tax revenues have fallen to their lowest levels since the start of the war, and further sanctions are planned. Targeting Russia’s “shadow fleet” of tankers remains a priority. The EU has already sanctioned more than 550 vessels and has held extensive talks with flag states.
The next step is to secure pre-boarding agreements that allow legal inspections of foreign-flagged ships, measures that would slow Russia’s oil trade and further erode its revenues.
In response to questions about potential further measures against Russia’s shadow fleet, the EU outlined several steps under consideration. On the proposal for continuous or rolling sanctions, rather than waiting for full sanction packages, most Member States supported moving toward a more agile system.
As explained, intelligence briefings have demonstrated that sanctions on the shadow fleet are already having a significant impact, which has strengthened the case for adopting measures more quickly.
Regarding pre-authorised boardings, the EU has been working toward a mandate to begin negotiations for some time. Although EU procedures can be slow, discussions with Member States have now advanced to a point where the process can move forward. Member States also raised the possibility of targeting third countries and actors that support or enable the shadow fleet. The EU is already conducting outreach and coordinating with partners to address these enablers.
Kallas highlighted that the issue issue was also raised with ASEAN partners, as maritime security and environmental risks affect all states involved in global shipping. Ensuring fair and enforceable rules at sea remains a shared interest.
To remind, in early October, Denmark announced it is increasing its monitoring and inspections of oil tankers in its waters as part of broader European efforts to counter Russia’s shadow fleet.
A few weeks later, the European External Action Service (EEAS) endorsed a maritime plan against Russia’s shadow fleet. The initiative aimed to combat fake vessel registrations and strengthen enforcement against the shadow fleet. The proposal would enable EU nations, in cooperation with flag states, to conduct pre-authorized inspections on suspicious vessels and address the rise in fake flag registrations.
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Source: Safety4sea
