Denmark steps up inspections of Russia’s “shadow fleet” due to environmental risks

Denmark has announced increased control over the “shadow fleet” — old tankers that transport Russian oil in circumvention of sanctions.

This is reported by The Maritime Executive.

The country plans to increase the number of environmental inspections in its waters, in particular in the Skagen Red area — one of the busiest anchorages in Northern Europe.

Danish Environment Minister Magnus Gönike explained that many old ships pass through the country’s waters, which pose a particular risk to the marine environment. Therefore, Denmark will increase control and take stricter action against such tankers.

The inspections will be carried out by the Danish Maritime Authority together with the Environmental Protection Agency. They will check waste management, ballast water, documents for the disposal of ships, the discharge of treated water from scrubbers and compliance with fuel requirements.

In addition, Denmark is introducing additional control over sulfur and nitrogen emissions: by the end of the year, a special sniffer will be operating on the bridge across the Great Belt Strait, which will measure the composition of ship exhaust in the SOx and NOx emission control zone.

Minister of Industry and Trade Morten Bødskov emphasized that the enhanced measures are aimed not only at protecting Danish waters, but also at limiting Russia’s ability to finance the war through shadow shipping.

USM previously reported that tankers of the Russian “shadow fleet” continue to spill oil in the seas of Europe.