Despite the EU embargo: tankers with russian oil are trying to circumvent sanctions

Despite the EU embargo: tankers with russian oil are trying to circumvent sanctions


The first attempt to violate the EU embargo on sea imports of russian raw oil was recorded. Tankers transport approximately 270,000 tons of raw materials.

On December 23 and 24, three tankers with russian raw oil arrived in the Gulf of Laconia (Greece), reports Andriy Klymenko, head of the Monitoring Group of the Institute of Black Sea Strategic Studies.

Among them is the Greek tanker Trident Hope (IMO:9271377) under the flag of Panama, which left the russian port of Taman. The Greek tanker Sovereign (IMO: 9390939) under the flag of Liberia, which left the russian port of Tuapse on December 10, was also involved in an attempt to violate the embargo. And another tanker Anafi Warrior (IMO:9370848) under the flag of Greece, which also left the port of Taman.

“In this way, about 270,000 tons of russian raw oil arrived in the territorial waters and exclusive economic zone of Greece, a member state of the EU. Taking into account the fact that the Gulf of Laconia is known as a place of raid transshipment of oil from ship to ship (STS, ship to ship), it can be assumed that this sanctioned russian bloody oil will be transshipped to other tankers for delivery to EU countries,” Andrii Klymenko notes.