The IMO adopted a ban on the use of the “shadow fleet”

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted a resolution aimed at combating illegal maritime transport by the so-called “shadow fleet”.

The resolution was adopted against the background of international concern – usually, for the sake of “shadow transportation” old vessels are used, which is dangerous.

The new IMO resolution calls on states to “observe measures that lawfully prohibit or regulate” ship-to-ship (STS) operations. It also calls for ensuring that vessels update their operational plans prior to STS handovers, particularly if vessels are involved in mid-ocean handovers.

The resolution also recommends that states subject vessels that turn off AIS or “conceal their true identity” to special inspections.

Currently, the largest user of the so-called “shadow fleet” is Russia. It is worth reminding that last week representatives of the Russian Federation were not elected to the IMO Council for the first time.