Russian: Latest Developments
A recent investigation by POLITICO and SourceMaterial has revealed that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s sanctions-busting “shadow fleet” is secretly spilling oil worldwide, posing a significant danger to the marine environment. The shadow fleet consists of hundreds of aging, poorly maintained ships sailing under Western sanctions, often without consequences.
One such vessel, Innova, was spotted by British coast guards in March, leaving a 23-kilometer-long dark stain in the North Atlantic Ocean. Despite being suspected of carrying 1 million barrels of sanctioned oil from Russia to India, the tanker was allowed to continue trading oil without repercussions. This is just one example of the many instances of covert shadow fleet vessels leaving spills in the world’s waters since 2021.
The investigation found at least nine instances of shadow fleet vessels leaving spills in various locations, including Thailand, Vietnam, Italy, and Mexico. These tankers often pass through busy shipping corridors like the Red Sea and the Panama Canal, posing a risk to international trade routes. Experts warn that it is only a matter of time before one of these ships suffers a catastrophic accident with major environmental and economic devastation.
The shadow fleet’s activities are largely unregulated, uninsured, and pose significant environmental risks. The tankers often carry illicit goods, including sanctioned oil, which helps fill the Kremlin’s war chest. The situation poses a global dilemma: how can democratic countries squeeze Moscow’s revenues while avoiding disastrous ramifications?
To address this issue, Western governments have imposed sanctions on Russian oil, including a blanket import ban to the European Union and an oil price cap set by the G7 allies. However, these measures have largely come up short, with Moscow finding creative work-arounds to dodge the price cap. The shadow fleet has grown significantly since 2022, with around 80 percent of Moscow’s seaborne crude being transported on vessels outside Western control.
The consequences of inaction are severe. Environmental experts warn that oil spills and slicks can cause irreversible damage to coastal states, which would bear the cost of cleaning up the mess. The situation is a ticking time bomb, with the potential for major economic devastation if one of these ships suffers a catastrophic accident.
Original Article: Revealed: Putin’s sanctions-busting shadow fleet is secretly spilling oil all over the world — Politico