Shadow Fleet Vessel Enters English Channel for First Time Since Smyrtos Detention
The vessel Forwarder, flying the Russian flag and having left the port of Primorsk last week, entered the English Channel on Wednesday evening and is heading south. It lists the port of Dunying in China as its final destination. This development marks a significant shift in the tactics employed by shadow fleet vessels, which have been avoiding the Channel since British military intercepted Smyrtos; tracking data shows that several sanctioned vessels have altered their course to bypass the strait.
The Forwarder‘s entry into the English Channel is particularly noteworthy given the recent detention of the tanker Smyrtos. The Smyrtos was seized by British authorities in May after it was found to be carrying oil from Russia, which is subject to international sanctions. Since then, shadow fleet vessels have been taking a more circuitous route to avoid detection and interception.
Russian Shadow Fleet Continues to Operate Despite Interception Threats
The Russian shadow fleet continues to cross British territorial waters despite interception threats. The vessel Forwarder was sanctioned by the UK, US, and EU in 2025. Since the British government accused it of smuggling oil from Russia, the vessel has changed its name twice. According to satellite images, Forwarder left Primorsk on June 12 after loading oil. This oil terminal is the largest in the Baltic Sea and plays a key role as an export hub for the Russian energy sector.
Shadow fleet tankers like Forwarder have become a vital support for the Kremlin since the West imposed sanctions on Russian energy exports following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. According to the UK Ministry of Defence, this fleet, consisting of over 700 aging tankers, whose owners are generally undisclosed, facilitates the transportation of 75% of Russian oil that is under sanctions.
Royal Navy Warship Operating in Vicinity of Forwarder
The BBC has contacted the UK Ministry of Defence for comments. According to data obtained by the BBC, the Royal Navy warship HMS Tyne is operating in the vicinity of the tanker’s location. This development raises questions about the potential for further action against the Forwarder or other shadow fleet vessels that may be operating in the area.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether the Forwarder will be intercepted and detained, or if it will successfully reach its destination in China. One thing is certain, however: the entry of this vessel into the English Channel marks a significant shift in the tactics employed by shadow fleet vessels, and highlights the ongoing challenge posed by these sanctioned tankers to international efforts to enforce sanctions on Russian energy exports.
Original Article: A shadow fleet vessel entered the English Channel — for the first time since the tanker Smyrtos was detained and is sailing under the Russian flag — Inbox