UK Leads in Sanctioning Russian-Controlled Ships Amid Global Tensions
The UK has taken the lead in sanctioning Russian-controlled ships, surpassing both the EU and the US in terms of the number of vessels sanctioned. According to recent data, the UK has sanctioned a total of 493 Russian-controlled ships, including 70 new additions on September 12. This significant increase brings the UK’s sanctions tally above that of the EU, which currently sanctions 444 Russian-controlled ships. The US, meanwhile, has not sanctioned any vessels since the Trump administration took office, with its current total standing at 216 ships.
The UK’s latest round of sanctions did not expand the universe of sanctioned vessels but instead boosted the overlap with US-sanctioned ships. This move saw the number of vessels jointly sanctioned by the UK and US rise to 65, up from just 5 before September 12. The number of ships sanctioned jointly by all three jurisdictions also increased, now standing at 132, up from 122 previously.
Sanctions Coordination: A Step in the Right Direction
The Brookings Institution has long advocated for better coordination across the EU, UK, and US on sanctions. The UK’s latest action is a step in this direction, as it increases the overlap of sanctioned vessels with the US, which will likely enhance the effectiveness of sanctions against Russia.
Charting Progress: Sanctions Data Reveals European Lead
The left chart above tracks the number of Russian-controlled vessels sanctioned by the UK, EU, and US. The data shows that Europe has taken the lead in sanctioning Russian-controlled ships, with the UK making significant progress in its latest round of sanctions. The right chart breaks down the overlap of sanctioned vessels for the three jurisdictions. The total number of unique vessels sanctioned by all three is 575, unchanged from previous months. The chart indicates that the number of ships jointly sanctioned by the UK and US (green) grew sharply in this round of sanctions, while ships jointly sanctioned by the EU, UK, and US also increased (purple).
Venn Diagram: Sanctions Landscape Revealed
The Venn diagram above provides a visual representation of the current status of sanctioned vessels. The data shows that Europe has taken the lead in sanctioning Russian-controlled ships, with the UK and EU sanctioning a combined total of 247 ships jointly. Another 132 ships are sanctioned jointly by the UK, EU, and US.
While this is positive news, it is important to note that US sanctions tend to be more impactful than those from the EU or UK. If Europe aims to effectively shut down the shadow fleet, it must work towards encouraging the US to impose more sanctions. This may involve implementing secondary tariffs on countries like India and China, which could be a necessary step for European leaders to take.
Original Article: The UK takes the lead on Russia sanctions — Substack