EU countries support sanctions against the “shadow fleet” that transports oil from the Russian Federation

EU countries support sanctions against the “shadow fleet” that transports oil from the Russian Federation


EU countries support sanctions against the “shadow fleet” that transports Russian oil.

EU member states support the Union’s efforts to close “loopholes” in sanctions against the Russian Federation that allow Russia to export oil to Europe, Politico reports citing sources.

On May 11, representatives of 27 EU member states gathered to discuss the technical aspects of the 11th package of sanctions against the Russian Federation. There is currently no serious opposition to tightening the current energy embargo, even from countries believed to benefit from undeclared Russian oil imports, according to three people familiar with the negotiations.

The draft proposals of the European Commission regarding the package of sanctions provide for a ban on ships secretly transporting oil from the Russian Federation to enter the ports of EU countries. It targets the so-called “shadow fleet” of aging tankers carrying Russian oil, since the EU banned imports of Russian oil and petroleum products amid price caps imposed by the G7 in March.

Russia does not have enough ships to transport oil, so it is forced to use tankers from third countries. Most of this fleet belongs to Greece. Some vessels intentionally disable AIS.

The new measures will make it possible to deny access to EU ports and gateways to vessels that are suspected or recognized as violating the ban on the import of Russian oil and oil products by sea to the EU. The same sanctions apply to those who disable AIS.