Mediterranean Tensions Rise as Russian Tankers Emerge
The war in Ukraine has spilled over beyond its borders, with the Mediterranean becoming a key battleground in the global energy struggle. The region’s importance has been underscored by recent events, including the detention of a suspected Russian tanker off the coast of Marseille and the attack on an Omani-flagged vessel linked to Russia near Crete.
Russian Tankers Under Scrutiny
On January 26, French authorities detained a tanker suspected of being part of Russia’s “ghost fleet” and arrested its captain. The operation was conducted in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, as announced by the French presidency. This development follows an earlier attack by Ukrainian drones on the Omani-flagged Qendil off the coast of Crete, marking the first strike by Russia’s shadow fleet outside the Black Sea.
Geopolitical Significance
These incidents demonstrate a growing geopolitical reality: the Mediterranean is not only a key route for tankers transporting Russian oil despite ongoing sanctions but also a flashpoint where global powers’ interests intersect. Smaller players, while less prominent, are also playing a non-negotiable role in this energy game.
The “Dark Fleet”
As known, Russia, Iran, and Venezuela operate fleets of old tankers to transport oil products worldwide, often using them as floating storage facilities at sea. By falsifying their positions through GPS spoofing, operators mask the origin of their cargo and avoid detection along the Suez-Gibraltar route. According to TankerTrackers.com, over 1,470 tankers are classified as part of the “dark fleet” or shadow fleet, with numbers increasing since 2022 in response to sanctions imposed on Moscow.
EU Sanctions
In July last year, the European Union approved its 18th package of sanctions focused primarily on the so-called “ghost fleets.” These same vessels allegedly transport arms to General Khalifa Haftar, the strongman of Cyrenaica, backed by Moscow against the Tripoli government.
Nuclear Cargo
Furthermore, reports suggest that the wreckage of the Russian cargo ship Ursa Major remains on the seafloor between Cartagena and Algeria. The vessel sank a year ago, but instead of being salvaged with cranes and construction equipment as reported in the captain’s manifest, it was carrying nuclear reactor components destined for North Korea’s illegal submarine program.
Global Consequences
This incident underscores that the war in Ukraine is not limited to that territory or the Black Sea. Events are unfolding behind the scenes and across Mediterranean waters, where various NATO member states have a stake. The Mediterranean has become a critical battleground in the global energy struggle, with far-reaching consequences for international relations and regional stability.
Original Article: Mediterraneo bollente, le petroliere russe e gli equilibri fra alleati — Formiche (Italian) | View English Translation