Russian Military Vessel Accompanies ‘Shadow Fleet’ Tankers Across English Channel
According to ‘The Daily Telegraph’, two tankers from the ‘shadow fleet’, accompanied by a Russian military vessel, were spotted crossing the English Channel on Wednesday. The vessels in question are the ‘Universal‘ and ‘Enigma‘, which were flanked by the frigate ‘Admiral Grigorovich’ of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Following them was the British vessel ‘Tideforce’.
The ‘shadow fleet’ tankers, accompanied by the Russian frigate, were heading west across the English Channel. This development comes as a surprise, given that since the end of March, when Starmer announced his intention to detain such vessels in British waters, no ‘shadow fleet’ tanker has been stopped.
France Takes Action Against ‘Shadow Fleet’ Vessels
Meanwhile, France has taken a different approach by detaining several ‘shadow fleet’ vessels in its waters. This move is seen as a significant departure from the UK’s policy of not stopping these vessels. The French authorities have demonstrated their willingness to enforce sanctions against Russia, despite the lack of action from the UK.
Background on the ‘Shadow Fleet’
The ‘shadow fleet’ was established by Russia after the G7 countries imposed a price cap on Russian oil to limit revenues financing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The restrictions are implemented through a ban on insurance and shipping companies servicing oil cargoes priced above the established limit. The fleet consists of outdated tankers, whose owners and insurers are located in countries that do not comply with the price caps.
The age of the vessels and the lack of Western insurance raise safety concerns, particularly regarding the risk of oil spills and who will cover the cleanup costs. In March, global oil prices surged sharply following the start of the US and Israel’s war against Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil supplies pass. The price increase significantly boosted the Russian budget’s revenues from oil exports.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Following the detention of a vessel, criminal proceedings may be initiated against its owners, operators, and crew for violating UK sanctions legislation. This move sends a strong message to those involved in the ‘shadow fleet’ that non-compliance with international sanctions will not be tolerated.
The situation highlights the need for international cooperation to address the issue of the ‘shadow fleet’. As tensions continue to rise, it is essential that countries work together to ensure that sanctions are enforced and that the risks associated with the ‘shadow fleet’ are mitigated.
Original Article: The ‘shadow fleet’ ships are accompanied by a Russian military vessel across the English Channel – media — Inbox