The UK targets Russia’s “shadow fleet” with sanctions, blacklisting over 70 vessels allegedly used to evade trade restrictions amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.
On Monday, the British government revealed sanctions on 30 ships identified as part of Russia’s “shadow fleet,” bringing the total number of vessels under London’s restrictions to 73.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy described the measures as the UK’s “largest sanctions package” so far against tankers and cargo ships employed by Moscow to bypass export and oil embargoes, which are used to finance its war with Ukraine.
The UK also imposed sanctions on two Russian insurers, accusing them of facilitating the so-called ghost fleet that operates under questionable ownership or lacks proper insurance.
Many of these vessels transport Russian oil and gasoline while flying the flag of another country, enabling the Kremlin to continue its exports despite sanctions and a global price cap on its oil sales.
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According to a statement from the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), fifty percent of the vessels affected by the recent sanctions carried oil and oil products valued at over $4.3 billion in the past year.
During a meeting of G7 foreign ministers in Italy, Lammy announced new restrictions that exceed the number of ships currently targeted by both the United States (39) and the European Union (19).
London states that the sanctions “are effective,” as Russia is increasingly depending on countries such as North Korea and Iran for military equipment.
The FCDO observed that two oil tankers, Artemis, flying the flag of Gabon, and Sea Fidelity, registered under Honduras’ flag, had been “idly drifting in the Baltic Sea since being sanctioned last month.”
