Sanctioned Russian Tankers Leave Oil Slicks in European Seas
Tankers of the Russian shadow fleet are leaving oil slicks near the coast of Europe, according to a joint investigation by Politico and the nonprofit journalism group SourceMaterial. This is not an isolated incident; over the past year, at least five tankers have continued to sail unhindered in European waters, leaving oil slicks in their wake.
The Center for Energy and Clean Air Research estimates that cleaning up a major oil spill caused by such a tanker could cost up to €1.4 billion. If the culprit is not found, European taxpayers will likely foot the bill. This highlights the need for effective enforcement of sanctions against Russian vessels that ignore basic safety standards, increasing the likelihood of catastrophic oil spills.
EU Imposes Sanctions on Shadow Fleet Vessels
The Russian shadow fleet consists of approximately 1,300 vessels, with the EU imposing sanctions against 444 of these vessels and the UK imposing sanctions against 450. The EU has also imposed price caps on Russian oil, setting a maximum price of $60 per barrel. From February 5, 2023, these countries imposed price caps on Russian petroleum products: $100 for diesel fuel and $45 for various lubricants.
To circumvent oil sanctions, Russia has begun building a shadow fleet. This is a fleet of old tankers that turn off their beacons so they cannot be seen by surveillance systems. These tankers are mostly operated by the Russian state-owned company “Sovcomflot.”
Consequences of Shadow Fleet Operations
According to The Guardian‘s September 2023 estimates, Russia’s shadow fleet consists of approximately 600 vessels, providing 70% of Russia’s oil exports and approximately 10% of the world’s “wet cargo” fleet. With its help, the Russian Federation transports almost 1.7 million barrels of oil per day, which brings large profits to the Kremlin.
In response to these developments, the EU has imposed sanctions on middlemen of shadow fleet vessels, including oil refineries and commercial registries, and is exerting “diplomatic pressure” on the states concerned. A European Commission representative told Politico that EU countries are required to “apply sanctions for cases of illegal discharges of pollutants from ships.”
Original Article: Politico: Sanctioned Russian tankers leave oil slicks in European seas — Babel