Panama just slammed the door on Russia’s shadow fleet — tankers over 15 years old now blacklisted
The world’s largest shipping registry just threw a wrench into Moscow’s oil smuggling machine.
Browsing Tag
Russian shadow fleet
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UK to sanction 100 Russian oil tankers in biggest ever shadow fleet crackdown
Amid the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, Britain targets Moscow's shadow fleet, linked to $24 billion in smuggled oil, citing risks to undersea cables, environment, and Europe's infrastructure security.
Estonian navy detains Russian shadow fleet’s oil tanker near Tallinn
Authorities now check the flagless vessel Kiwala's technical condition and crew documentation.
Germany confiscates Russian “shadow fleet” tanker with $ 43 million of oil
Germany now owns the tanker and is considering a name change.
EU pays Russia more for fossil fuels than it gives Ukraine in aid, report finds
Despite public declarations of support for Ukraine, most major European powers commit minimal percentages of their economies to aid, while simultaneously purchasing Russian fossil fuels worth €3.2 billion more than their financial assistance to Kyiv in 2024, helping Russia to fund its war against Ukraine.
EU 16th sanctions package against Russia targets shadow fleet, banks, media outlets, third-country trade
53 entities across seven countries, including China, India, Kazakhstan, the UAE, and Turkey, have been sanctioned by the EU for supplying Russia with dual-use technologies and military components.
Politico: Europe moves to squeeze Russia’s shadow fleet as Finland shows how it’s done
The seizure of the Eagle S by Finnish authorities, a Russian oil tanker suspected of damaging vital subsea cables in the Baltic Sea, might trigger a shift in EU strategy.
“Ethical line is very thin”: Western firms pocket $ 6 billion selling old tankers to Russia’s shadow fleet despite sanctions
Aging tankers doubled in value as Russian buyers sought vessels to circumvent oil sanctions and maintain their source of revenue to fund the war against Ukraine. Greek shipowners dominated these sales, followed by British and German owners.
Telegraph: Finnish foreign minister says Russia’s economy shows “serious cracks,” urges to strengthen economic sanctions
Economic forecasts show Russian GDP dropping to under 1% in 2025 from 3% currently, while the central bank has pushed interest rates to 21% amid mounting pressure from international sanctions.
iStories: New US sanctions affected vessels that transported a fifth of Russia’s oil exports in 2024
India has stated it will not reduce its purchases of Russian oil, while China has yet to comment on the new sanctions.
Barbados and Panama to remove flags from 114 Russian shadow fleet tankers
Following January 2025 sanctions, Russian vessels are seeking new registrations, with some moving from Barbados to flags like Tanzania and São Tomé.
Finland says Russian shadow fleet tanker crew planned more cable sabotage before arrest
After damaging the Estlink 2 power cable, Eagle S crew was positioned to damage Estlink1 and BalticConnector gas pipeline when authorities intervened, as per investigators.
Reuters: Tougher US sanctions to curb Russian oil supply to China and India
Sources note that these sanctions will significantly reduce the fleet of ships available to deliver crude from Russia, with one source noting: ''it's going to drop off a cliff.''
Oil tanker from Russian shadow fleet towed to German port after floating adrift in Baltic Sea
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock accused Russia of endangering European security “with the reckless deployment of a fleet of rusty tankers.”
YLE: Dubai firms own 55 vessels in Russian shadow fleet
A Finnish investigation uncovers an extensive Dubai-based network managing Russian shadow fleet oil and LNG tankers. A single UAE firm owns 24 sanctioned ships.
US, UK block Russia’s oil giants in largest-ever energy sanctions package, target shadow fleet
US Department of the Treasury and United Kingdom jointly targeted Russian Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas, marking the most comprehensive action yet against Russia's ability to profit from energy exports that fund its aggression in Ukraine.
Reuters: US plans new sanctions on Russia’s “shadow fleet”
Washington prepares comprehensive sanctions targeting vessels and networks involved in circumventing price restrictions on Russian petroleum exports.
Finnish probe uncovers kilometers-long anchor drag marks in Baltic cable damage
The detained Eagle S tanker, part of Russia’s suspected shadow fleet, is under investigation for damaging subsea cables in the Baltic Sea, with authorities reporting surveillance equipment found aboard.
German FM calls for more Russian shadow fleet sanctions after Baltic cable damage
Germany's top diplomat warns of systematic threats to critical undersea infrastructure, pushing for expanded protective measures and sanctions.
Ukraine needs stable and peaceful post-Assad Syria, Zelenskyy says
The Ukrainian President reaffirmed Ukraine's commitment to providing grain as humanitarian aid to Syria, aiming to bolster food security and promote stability.