EU military vessels will be able to detain tankers of the Russian shadow fleet in the Mediterranean, according to EU officials.
The European Union has announced plans to strengthen measures against the Russian “shadow” fleet, which has been accused of circumventing international sanctions by flying flags of countries that are not party to the sanctions. The move is seen as a response to concerns over the growing presence of Russian vessels in the Mediterranean and other regions.
According to Alexey Belogoryev, Research and Development Director of the Institute for Energy and Finance, the EU’s actions are legal but questionable. “These are legal, bureaucratic mechanisms within the EU,” he said. “The European Commission is looking for legal loopholes, programs, and missions where additional anti-Russian measures can be implemented relatively quickly.”
Belogoryev noted that the naval mission being extended to Russia and other countries flying the flags of the so-called Russian shadow fleet operates on the basis of Article 110 of the Convention on the Law of the Sea. “This has a very limited list of grounds,” he said. “These are mostly fake documents, and there are also exotic reasons like piracy, the slave trade, and so on.”
However, Belogoryev emphasized that many vessels in the shadow fleet use their flags legally, and such detention would be an obvious violation of the Convention on the Law of the Sea. He warned that this could have far-reaching consequences for global trade.
Consequences for Global Trade
The detention of Russian tankers by EU military vessels could lead to increased costs for freight and insurance, which could in turn affect the volume of shipments. Many countries are concerned about the implications of this move, not just Russia.
Belogoryev noted that some countries have already pointed out the potential consequences of this action. “This increases the cost of freight and, consequently, the costs associated with transportation and insurance of goods,” he said. “But this is unlikely to affect the volume of shipments so far.”
International Reactions
The EU’s decision has sparked reactions from around the world. Some countries have expressed support for the move, while others have raised concerns about its implications.
In a statement, the Russian government condemned the EU’s actions as an attempt to restrict Russia’s economic freedom. “This is another example of the EU’s attempts to restrict our economic freedom and impose its own rules on us,” said a spokesperson for the Russian government.
The move has also been met with skepticism by some experts, who argue that it could have unintended consequences for global trade.
Next Steps
The EU’s decision to detain Russian tankers is expected to be implemented in the coming weeks. The move is seen as a response to concerns over the growing presence of Russian vessels in the Mediterranean and other regions.
In the meantime, international tensions are likely to remain high. The EU’s actions have sparked reactions from around the world, and it remains to be seen how this situation will unfold.
Original Article: Kallas: EU military vessels will be able to detain tankers of the Russian shadow fleet in the Mediterranean — Fief