Russian “Ghost Fleet” Tactics Exposed Off Western France
French authorities Wednesday probed a vessel off western France alleged to be part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” of oil tankers used to evade oil sanctions since its invasion of Ukraine. The investigation comes as the European Union has identified and blacklisted 444 vessels it says are part of the vast Russian shadow or “ghost fleet”, following an 18th tranche of sanctions announced in July.
The UK has sanctioned around 500 of these ships since February 2022, highlighting the significant scale of Russia’s efforts to circumvent international sanctions. The vessels, which fly flags of convenience and have opaque ownership, enable Moscow to keep exporting its crude oil for much-needed revenue despite curbs on exports.
What is a Ghost Fleet?
According to the UK government, such ships engage in illegal operations with the aim of circumventing sanctions, often evading safety and environmental regulations as well as insurance costs. This practice has existed before the war in Ukraine and is also used by Iran and Venezuela as a way of avoiding US sanctions, as well as by North Korea.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the global shadow fleet “which previously mostly transported goods to and from Iran and Venezuela — has exploded in size”, according to the US think tank Atlantic Council. It estimates that around 17 percent of all oil tankers belong to the global shadow fleet, which also comprises other merchant vessels.
Sanctions and Enforcement
The European Union’s efforts to identify and blacklist these vessels have been ongoing since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The UK has taken a similar approach, sanctioning around 500 ships since February 2022. Despite these efforts, Russia continues to find ways to evade sanctions and maintain its oil exports.
As the global shadow fleet grows in size and complexity, international authorities are working to stay ahead of Russia’s tactics. The French investigation into the vessel off western France is just one example of this ongoing effort.
Original Article: ‘Ghost fleet’ tactics show how Russia bypasses Western oil sanctions — Newindianexpress