EU Forces Board Suspected Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker in Mediterranean
European Union naval forces boarded the oil tanker MV SUN in the Mediterranean on August 30 after it was suspected of sailing under a false flag in breach of international maritime law.
The boarding was carried out by forces from Operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINI for flag verification, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said. Kallas noted that the MV SUN was the sixth suspected Russian shadow fleet vessel boarded by EU operations in recent months. The shadow fleet comprises vessels used to transport Russian oil while circumventing Western sanctions, often through opaque ownership structures and flags of convenience.
Operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINI Conducts Flag Verification Boarding
Last Sunday, while carrying out surveillance activities Op. #IRINI conducted a flag verification boarding of MV SUN in compliance with Art. 110 of #UNCLOS. #IRINI continues to support EU efforts to counter Russian shadow fleet and promote maritimesecurity in the Med High Sea.
The operation comes as the EU steps up efforts to disrupt Russia’s oil trade, which Kallas described as a critical source of funding for Moscow’s war against Ukraine.
EU Defence Ministers to Discuss Measures Targeting Shadow Fleet
This is the sixth suspected shadow fleet vessel boarded by our EU operations in recent months. Actions against the shadow fleet will be among the topics when EU Defence Ministers gather in Ireland on Tuesday, said Kaja Kallas on X.
Illegal oil sales from shadow fleet ships are a critical lifeline for Russia’s war in Ukraine, and we’ll continue to cut them off. The oil tanker MV SUN, suspected of sailing under false flag in breach of international maritime law, was boarded on 30 August in the Mediterranean, said Kaja Kallas on Twitter.
Measures targeting the shadow fleet are also due to be discussed by EU defence ministers at a meeting in Ireland on September 1.
Original Article: EU forces board suspected Russian shadow fleet tanker in Mediterranean — Safety4Sea