Great Britain prepares to seize Russian-linked “shadow fleet” tankers

London is considering military options to intercept “shadow fleet” vessels as the Kremlin’s revenues fall and sanctions pressure mounts.

The UK is threatening to seize a “shadow fleet” tanker linked to Russia, The Guardian reports.

British defence sources have confirmed that they have discussed military options to seize any “problem” vessel with the participation of NATO allies. At the same time, a month has passed since the US, with British support, seized a Russian tanker in the Atlantic.

According to Lloyd’s List Intelligence, 23 “shadow fleet” vessels using false flags were recorded in the English Channel or the Baltic Sea in January. Most of them are associated with the export of Russian oil to China, India and Turkey.

In late January, Britain, Germany, France and other NATO countries with access to the Baltic and North Seas signed a joint statement, stressing that all ships in these regions must fly only one flag and must have valid safety and insurance documentation.

“The Royal Navy can challenge any number of ships under maritime law because they are effectively stateless,” said Richard Mead, editor-in-chief of Lloyd’s List. He said they do not do so because of “escalation risks.”

Last month, the Royal Marines gave a closed-door briefing to British MPs and members of the House of Lords on the threats from Russia, the situation in the Arctic and the High North.

A month ago, the US pursued the tanker Marinera from the Caribbean to the North Atlantic and seized it between Scotland and Iceland with British support. The vessel initially flew a false flag, but during the pursuit it was re-registered as Russian in an attempt to avoid capture.

Moscow’s response to the incident was muted, but a British- or European-led operation could see Russia respond more forcefully. “Moscow is likely to react more forcefully,” Meade said, adding that the risks would be lower if the vessel were seized outside the Baltic or Arctic regions.

France detained the Grinch oil tanker off the coast of Spain on January 22. The vessel had left Murmansk, Russia, under the Comoros flag, but a week later French President Emmanuel Macron told his Ukrainian counterpart that the vessel would have to be released under French law.

In late January, British Defence Secretary John Healy said that London would host a meeting of the Baltic and Northern European countries to discuss “military options that we could use.” According to him, the confiscated oil could be sold and the funds sent to Ukraine.