Belgian Defence Minister Announces Seizure of Suspected Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker
Belgium seized an oil tanker belonging to the Russian shadow fleet on Sunday and suspected of sailing with a “false flag and false documents,” Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken said.
The move comes as Western sanctions imposed on Russia for invading Ukraine have led to the rise of a “shadow fleet” of tankers helping Moscow to keep its crude exports flowing. The seized vessel, named Ethera, is on the European Union’s sanctions list. A Belgian official confirmed that the ship was boarded by armed forces with the support of French Defence.
Shadow Fleet Fuels Concern
Moscow has previously called the seizure of its tankers or vessels carrying its cargoes an act of piracy. The Russian embassy in Belgium said it was not notified about the facts and reasons for the seizure of the oil tanker, adding that it was seeking information on whether any Russian nationals were on board.
The shadow fleet vessels typically have opaque ownership structures and have raised concern about possible environmental risks, with poorly regulated, aging tankers prone to spills, mechanical failures, and leaks, threatening marine ecosystems. They also usually sail without top-tier Western insurance or safety certification cover, and often have unknown insurers or assessors of the vessels’ seaworthiness – both required for ocean-going commercial ships.
Belgian Minister’s Statement
Belgium’s federal prosecutor’s office said in a statement that during the on-board inspection “the indications of a false flag were confirmed, and ship documents were found that are suspected of being false.” It added that “a criminal investigation was opened and an order was issued to divert the ship to Belgian territorial waters.”
The minister told Reuters that the seized vessel was suspected of sailing with a “false flag and false documents.” He also stated that Belgium took its responsibility seriously, saying, “Without his shadow fleet Putin can’t wage war against innocent Ukrainians. So we take these vessels out. One by one. Till his war of aggression stops.”
International Reactions
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha welcomed the Belgian move. He said in a post on X, “We urge all partners to follow this example, counter Russia’s shadow fleet resolutely through sanctions and concrete action, and advance peace through strength.”
Original Article: Belgium Seizes Suspected Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker — Insurancejournal