EU Blacklists 41 Ships in Crackdown on Russia’s Shadow Fleet
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Brussels has expanded its sanctions regime to include 41 ships identified as part of a “shadow fleet” of oil tankers facilitating Russian energy income.
A statement released by the Council of Europe indicated that these ships will be added to a list of vessels facing port access bans and restrictions on a wide array of maritime transport services. The measures target non-EU tankers purportedly involved in circumventing the oil price cap, supporting Russia’s energy sector, transporting military equipment to Russia, or participating in the shipment of stolen Ukrainian grain and cultural artifacts from Kyiv.
The Council of Europe’s statement noted that the decision, which brings the total number of designated vessels to nearly 600, is closely tied to recent council decisions to list nine ships enabling the shadow fleet and to approve a declaration by the EU and its member states on the full utilization of the international law of the seas framework regarding threats posed by the “shadow fleet” and the protection of critical underwater infrastructure. The European Union remains prepared to intensify pressure on Russia and its shadow fleet network, including through the adoption of further sanctions.
