Sanctioned Oil Tanker Enters UK Waters Amid Government Crackdown Threat
An oil tanker sanctioned by the government has sailed through the English Channel, entering UK waters a day after ministers threatened to board such vessels with armed forces. The VAYU 1, flagged in Cameroon and carrying Russian oil, was tracked around six nautical miles off Dover on March 26.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) explained that any enforcement action is considered on a case-by-case basis, leaving the reason for not stopping the tanker unclear. The vessel began its journey from Murmansk, Russia, on March 10 and entered UK waters at 12:39 GMT on March 26.
Government Sanctions and Enforcement
The UK government added the VAYU 1 to its sanctions list in May 2025 due to suspected involvement in carrying Russian oil. The sanctions notice stated that the ship is involved in activity whose object or effect is to destabilise Ukraine or obtain a benefit from or support the government of Russia.
Russia has been accused of operating a “shadow fleet” of tankers with opaque ownership structures to circumvent international sanctions on its oil exports. The UK government’s announcement on March 25 gave permission for its forces to board sanctioned ships transiting UK waters, leaving unclear what constitutes “UK waters”.
Tanker’s Journey and Location
BBC Verify analysed the journey of the VAYU 1, revealing it spent at least 5 hours and 30 minutes in the UK’s territorial waters and 29 hours in the UK’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Its last location was around 40 nautical miles south of Plymouth and still in the UK’s EEZ.
The tanker’s presence in UK waters has raised concerns about the effectiveness of government sanctions and the potential for Russian oil to continue flowing into the country. The incident highlights the need for clear definitions and enforcement mechanisms to prevent sanctioned vessels from entering UK waters.
Original Article: Sanctioned oil tanker enters UK waters day after government crackdown threat — BBC