Shadow Fleet of Russian Tankers Frequent Danish Waters in 2025
Tankers from Russia’s “shadow fleet” circumventing European sanctions navigated through Denmark’s waters at a rate of almost one a day in 2025, data compiled by the Danish Maritime Authority showed on Wednesday.
The authority reported that there were 292 voyages with EU sanction-designated tankers in Danish waters last year. This development has raised concerns about the risk of an oil spill and the potential for sabotage, as part of a “hybrid war” by Russia against Western countries.
Monitoring and Cooperation
The Danish authorities are closely monitoring ships in Danish waters and cooperate closely with like-minded countries in the Baltic Sea region. In addition, a number of concrete measures have been taken to strengthen maritime safety and the protection of the marine environment and seafarers.
The EU lists 598 vessels that are banned from European ports and maritime services. This has made it possible for Danish authorities to track and register the ships turning up in its waters last year.
Concerns about Sabotage
Some experts and political leaders suspect the vessels of carrying out sabotage, as part of a “hybrid war” by Russia against Western countries. The French navy, working with intelligence provided by the United Kingdom, intercepted an oil tanker in the Mediterranean Sea from Russia in January 2026.
In Finland, three crew members from the Cook Islands-registered “shadow fleet” ship Eagle S were accused of dragging the vessel’s anchor across the seabed in the Gulf of Finland in December 2024, damaging five undersea cables. A Helsinki court dismissed the case, saying it was beyond its jurisdiction.
International Cooperation and Measures
The Danish authorities are working closely with other countries to strengthen maritime safety and the protection of the marine environment and seafarers. The EU has implemented measures to limit Moscow’s revenues used to pursue its war in Ukraine, including sanctions on Russian oil tankers.
The international community is calling for increased cooperation and vigilance to prevent further incidents and ensure the safe passage of ships through Danish waters.
Original Article: Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ of tankers reported in Danish waters almost daily in 2025, Denmark says — Yahoo