Japan Targets 35 Shadow Fleet Ships in First Vessel Sanctions
Japan has imposed sanctions directly on individual vessels for the first time, targeting 35 ships linked to Russia‘s shadow fleet as Tokyo steps up efforts to restrict Moscow’s oil-export network.
The measures took effect on October 2 under Japan‘s Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act. Japanese companies will now need government permission to provide specified services to the 35 vessels and for capital transactions, including loans and debt guarantees, connected with their sale, purchase, lease or charter.
Identifying Sanctioned Vessels
Japan‘s foreign ministry has identified all 35 ships by IMO number. A limited transition applies to contracts concluded before October 2, but only where the relevant obligations or services are completed before November 1. The restrictions cover services including ship repairs and insurance.
The move comes as a growing share of sanctioned tonnage shifts onto the Russian register. Research highlighted by Splash last week found that 107 vessels joined the Russian registry between January 2025 and June this year, with 87% already sanctioned when they changed flag.
Context: Sanctions and Shadow Fleet
Tokyo’s decision to target individual vessels is part of a broader effort to restrict Moscow’s oil-export network. The shipping measures formed part of a wider package that also froze the assets of 33 Russian organisations and nine individuals and introduced export restrictions against four entities in Turkey and the UAE. Tokyo said the vessel measures were aimed at ships being used to transport Russian crude and petroleum products while circumventing existing sanctions.
The move brings Japan closer to the approach already adopted by the UK and European Union against ageing tankers moving Russian oil outside mainstream Western shipping, finance, and insurance channels.
Original Article: Japan targets 35 shadow fleet ships in first vessel sanctions — Splash247