Concerns rise over aged Russian tankers in Danish straits, posing maritime risks

Old and worn-out Russian oil transport ships navigate the waters of Denmark, often sailing fully submerged with poorly trained crews who lack proficiency in English. A collision in the Sund Strait in early March is among the incidents reported by Danish media, highlighting ongoing concerns.

Maritime shipping analytics company Kpler, as cited by Danish Radio, noted that between December 1 and February 28, 191 Russian tankers traversed the Danish straits, with some presenting questionable insurance documents.

- These ships are very old and sail at full submersion. They usually decline our navigation services and do not welcome pilots on board while passing through our waters, - stated Mikael Pedersen, president of the Marine Pilots Union, in an interview with Danish Radio.

Pedersen further pointed out that the "crews are inadequately trained, particularly in English language proficiency".

In the Sund Strait, located south of Copenhagen, the Russian oil tanker MS Andromeda Star collided with the cargo ship MS Peace at the beginning of March. Fortunately, there was no oil leakage since Andromeda was not carrying any cargo at the time. After the collision, repairs were necessary at a shipyard in Odense.

The imposition of Western sanctions on Russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has led Russia to utilize what is referred to as the "shadow fleet" to continue oil exports. This fleet includes aged tankers from countries like Gabon in Central Africa.

The Danish straits serve as a critical junction connecting the North Sea with the Baltic Sea but are characterized by their narrow and shallow nature, which is complicated further by heavy maritime traffic.

Investigative journalist Jakob Kjogx Bohr from DanWatch highlighted several instances where Russian-operated ships encountered technical difficulties in Danish waters, complicating their navigation. He also noted the challenges faced by Danish authorities in halting such vessels.

In May 2023, the tanker Canis Power, loaded with 300,000 barrels of Russian oil, experienced an engine failure near the coast of Langeland Island, disrupting navigation for several hours.

The portal also expressed concern regarding Denmark's preparedness for an oil spill, which would have catastrophic environmental consequences. A report released in early January by the Danish Audit Chamber critiqued the insufficient resources available to rescue services.

Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Denmark's Foreign Minister, reassured DanWatch of ongoing support at the EU level to address the issue of the Russian shadow fleet.