EU-Sanctioned Oil Tanker Escorted to Moroccan Port by Spanish Vessel
An oil tanker sanctioned by the EU for transporting Russian oil was escorted to Tangier-Med in Morocco by a Spanish rescue vessel, Spain’s merchant fleet announced on Tuesday. The Chariot Tide, which sailed under the Mozambique flag and was known as Marabella Sun until November, has been on the EU sanctions list since November 2024 for assisting Russia in oil exports.
The engine of the Chariot Tide broke down on January 22, and the vessel drifted engineless in international waters 33 miles south of Adra in the Almeria region. The merchant fleet said it had entered Spain’s search and rescue zone. It was then escorted to Tangier-Med by the maritime rescue vessel Clara Campoamor.
“Shadow Fleet” Operations Continue Unabated
Industry sources and analysts estimate that between 1,200 and 1,600 tankers are currently operating as a so-called “shadow fleet.” These vessels help Russia and other countries such as Venezuela and Iran evade Western sanctions and sell their oil to countries such as China and India. The vessels are often old, their ownership is opaque, and they sail without the higher-level insurance coverage that meets international standards for major oil companies and many ports.
The Baltic and North Sea countries on Monday published a letter warning of the dangers of vessels manipulating or falsifying identification systems, turning off tracking devices, and using more than one flag to avoid detection and circumvent sanctions. The “shadow fleet” has been a significant concern for Western nations seeking to enforce their sanctions against Russia.
Morocco’s Ties with Russia Raise Questions
Morocco, a US ally, maintains good relations with Russia, and in October, the two countries signed a fishing agreement that allows Russian vessels to fish in Morocco’s Atlantic waters. This agreement has raised questions about Morocco’s willingness to accommodate Russian interests despite Western sanctions. The incident involving the Chariot Tide highlights the complex web of relationships between nations and the challenges of enforcing sanctions in a globalized economy.
French Navy intercepted a Russian “shadow fleet” oil tanker in the Mediterranean Sea – Macron
Original Article: Spanish vessel “rescues” “shadow fleet” tanker sanctioned by EU for transporting Russian oil — Unn