UK leads charge to dismantle Russia's 'Shadow fleet' in Baltic seas

The UK and EU countries plan to target tankers from Russia's "shadow fleet." A special group will develop specific actions to pursue and eliminate ships that enable Russia to circumvent sanctions and conduct espionage activities.

Bloomberg reports that during Thursday's European Political Community meeting, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer in the UK, European maritime countries will create a special group of international officials and experts to "take specific actions" to eliminate Russia's "shadow fleet" from the Baltic and North Seas.

Eliminating the "shadow fleet" requires consistent actions. As highlighted by money.pl, international maritime law, which ensures freedom of navigation, complicates the automatic detention of these ships. Additionally, these vessels often operate under the flags of third countries, making them difficult to identify.

According to Bloomberg, the first step will be close cooperation and information exchange about the Russian fleet to coordinate responses to threats posed by these vessels and entities facilitating the operation of the shadow fleet. Cooperation will also involve the private sector.

What actions are being discussed? The plan to pursue tankers from the "shadow fleet," also known as the "ghost armada," transporting Russian oil in violation of sanctions, involves using the Danish straits as natural checkpoints for passing ships.

According to the plan, Denmark could detain tankers passing through its straits without Western insurance. The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea allows states to inspect ships that may threaten their environment.

The challenge is detaining the ships. It's uncertain whether Denmark can stop and inspect all suspicious tankers and what actions to take if they refuse to comply.

According to a Bloomberg source, the new plan may also include additional sanctions against ships in the "shadow fleet." The agency highlights that stricter restrictions are already having an impact. Of the approximately 50 ships that have faced restrictions in the US, UK, and EU since last October, few have been involved in oil transport.

Russia's "shadow fleet" is an increasing challenge in the Baltic Sea. The Kremlin uses ships registered in various countries under so-called flags of convenience to transport Russian oil and circumvent sanctions. They also pose a significant threat to the security of Baltic countries.

Swedish services suspect that tankers from the "shadow fleet" may also be used for espionage, creating additional security risks. However, Europe is not helpless. Experts believe surveillance of Danish waters can be improved, and maritime safety and environmental regulations effectively enforced.

Experts note that Russia's "shadow fleet" consists of old, worn-out ships that often do not meet safety standards. Their presence in the Baltic, a sea with a special supervision status, poses a severe ecological threat.

Dr. Damian Szacawa, an assistant professor at the Institute of International Relations UMCS and a senior analyst at the Baltic Team of the Center for Eastern Studies in Lublin, explained to money.pl that the Baltic is a protected sea with a special supervision status. Meanwhile, as much as 60% of Russia's maritime oil export is transported through the Baltic Sea.

"Ships entering it should meet strict criteria, including emission standards and specific technical conditions such as double hulls to prevent leaks in case of collisions and increase safety," he explained.

Meanwhile, incidents involving ships from third countries used for transporting Russian oil are increasing, according to money.pl.

Like Poland and Sweden, Denmark has expressed concerns about Russia's "shadow fleet." The Danish straits, through which Russian tankers pass, are becoming sites of difficult-to-control incidents. The high risk is associated with the possibility of these ships escaping international jurisdiction.