Russian Shadow Fleet Ship Mikati Added to Sanctions List
The 58,000-ton oil tanker “Mikati” was sailing in the waters of the Indian Ocean when bad news arrived from faraway Brussels: it had been added to the list of sanctioned ships of the Russian shadow fleet. The EU placed the Mikati on the list in July, following a similar decision by the UK in November last year.
Suspicious Behavior
According to data provided to Radio Free Europe (RFE) by the maritime information company Vinvard, the ship “Mikati” changed its name several times, was sold to an anonymous owner, and repeatedly turned off its AIS location transponders in the period before it was sanctioned. The latter is considered a dangerous practice during navigation by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and is only permitted under special circumstances.
Sanctions Take Effect
On July 18, the EU included Mikati in its 18th package of sanctions against Russia. This had an immediate effect. Two days later, the ship arrived in waters off Kochi, home to one of India‘s largest oil refineries. However, it had not unloaded all the cargo it had taken on in the Russian port of Murmansk on the Barents Sea a month earlier.
Behind-the-Scenes Maneuvers
In any case, something was going on behind the scenes. The Mikati changed its registered owner and commercial manager on July 25, moving from Azerbaijan to Samoa, a country of about 200,000 people in the South Pacific that is not known for a prosperous shipping industry.
Unloading and Re-Registration
After the sudden change of ownership of the “Mikati” a new voyage followed, north along the coast to Mangalore. There on August 3, it signalled that unloading had been completed. The 11-day delay was probably related to the sanctions and the need for new security, said Michelle Boeckman, Windward analyst.
Consequences of Sanctions
Despite the sanctions, the Mikati has unloaded its oil and remains in service. Sanctioned ships cannot visit EU ports or obtain Western insurance and have difficulty finding professional services. However, they can still operate in other parts of the world, like Asia, where there is a strong demand for oil.
The story of the Mikati illustrates the strengths and weaknesses of the European Union (EU) sanctions regime that now covers around 600 ships.
Original Article: What happens to a ship from the Russian shadow fleet when it is sanctioned? — Vijesti