⚓️🇪🇺 European efforts to combat Russian shadow fleet evading sanctions

Oneliner

European nations are ramping up efforts to combat the Russian shadow fleet, which is evading sanctions by sailing under false or no flags. An investigation revealed that nearly one in three of these vessels lack valid flags, affecting over 500 tankers. Belgium is adapting its legal frameworks to intercept these ships, while Danish authorities reported 292 movements of sanctioned tankers in their waters in 2025. The situation raises significant security concerns, prompting calls for a coordinated international response.

Key points

• Nearly one in three shadow fleet ships lack valid flags, facilitating sanctions evasion.
• Belgium is adapting legal frameworks to intercept vessels from the Russian phantom fleet.
• Danish authorities reported 292 movements of sanctioned tankers in their waters in 2025.
• International cooperation is increasing to address the security risks posed by these vessels.

Links

• Tagesschau (ARD): Jedes dritte Schiff der Schattenflotte könnte gestoppt werden
• La Libre: La Belgique veut pouvoir intercepter les navires de la flotte fantôme russe
• France 24: La flota fantasma rusa surca casi todos los días aguas danesas
• Deutsche Welle: Rusia busca llevar petróleo a Cuba sin escalada con EE. UU.

Facts

• Over 500 shadow fleet tankers lack valid national flags.
• Belgium's Justice Minister announced legal adaptations to intercept phantom fleet vessels.
• Danish authorities recorded 292 movements of sanctioned tankers in 2025.
• The EU has blacklisted 598 vessels from accessing European ports.

Quotes

• The control options for false or forged flags must be used to detain ships where appropriate — Thomas Röwekamp, CDU

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