Sanctioned Tanker Sails Unchallenged Along Norwegian Coast
The 174-metre-long oil tanker, sailing under a false flag, set a course through Norwegian waters and travelled south along the entire Norwegian coast. By March 24, it had reached waters south of the Canary Islands.
For many years, the Paz—originally named Nordic Cosmos—was operated by Nordic American Tanker Ltd, a Norwegian shipping company. Today, it is part of the so-called “shadow fleet,” transporting sanctioned Russian oil to international buyers.
Unclear Ownership and Dubious Insurance
Ownership and management of the Paz remain unclear. Equasis lists its owner and manager as “Rptd Sold Undisclosed Interest,” a term used in shipping records when the buyer or seller is not publicly disclosed. Questions also surround its insurance. Arve Dimmen, Director of Navigation Technology and Maritime Services at the Norwegian Coastal Administration, confirmed to the Barents Observer that the Paz did not provide a valid Civil Liability Convention (CLC) certificate, which proves insurance coverage for oil pollution damage. He also stated that the tanker has no known owner.
Norwegian Authorities Take No Action
Despite these concerns, Norwegian authorities took no action as the vessel navigated the country’s extensive and challenging waters. “Apart from this [the CLC certificate], we have not recorded any particular incidents or unusual sailing patterns in the Norwegian Economic Zone (NEZ),” Dimmen said in an email to the Barents Observer.
International Concerns and Enforcement Actions
Operators of Russia’s shadow fleet are increasingly wary of foreign law enforcement actions. Over the past three months, the French Navy boarded two shadow tankers carrying Russian Arctic oil in the Mediterranean. Authorities in Germany, the UK, Sweden, and Denmark have also taken enforcement actions against Russia-affiliated carriers.
The Paz Takes a Route Around Africa
The Paz is also taking the route around Africa, with China as its likely destination. This is not an unusual route for sanctioned tankers, as many are opting to avoid international waters where they may be subject to law enforcement action.
Original Article: Sanctioned tanker with unclear ownership and dubious insurance sails unchallenged along Norwegian coast — Thebarentsobserver