Sanctioned vessels are increasingly flying the Russian flag

Among the vessels subject to EU sanctions, vessels sailing under the Russian flag predominate.

This was reported by the Danish Shipowners’ Association (Danske Rederier), writes Gospodarka Morska. 

Danske Rederier published a short report in which it was recorded that in September 2025, 18% of vessels from the sanctions list sailed under the Russian flag, and in September this year – already 46%.

At the same time, as the number of vessels flying the Russian flag increased, the number of vessels registered under false flags decreased: from 32 to 12%, and the share of vessels with an unknown flag status decreased from 16 to 6%.

“Thanks to these changes, the total percentage of vessels sailing under a false or unknown flag also decreased. In 2025, it was 48%, and now – about 18%. Against this background, the share of ships under other flags remained practically unchanged,” the association reported.

The number of ships subject to EU sanctions has also increased — from 428 last year to 642 now.

Danske Rederier cited several reasons for the changes: the threat of inspections in the waters of the Baltic Sea, since a false flag is a pretext for detaining a ship, as well as increased control in some registers. Thus, under the influence of international pressure and sanctions, some maritime administrations have begun to remove ships on which restrictions have been imposed from their registers.

“It is especially important for us that the ships are safe and have insurance that will really cover the costs in the event of an accident. The Russian flag itself does not provide any guarantees in this regard,” said Danske Rederier Vice President Jacob K. Klasen.

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