EU tightens grip on Russia's shadow fleet amid oil sanctions
The European Union will make it harder for Russia to sell oil. On Tuesday, it adopted restrictions against ships from the so-called shadow fleet.
"The EU has adopted the 17th package of sanctions aimed at Russia, which includes measures to further complicate the Kremlin's sale of oil (restrictions against 150 shadow fleet ships) and increase control over the export of technologies and goods used for military purposes," reported journalist Dorota Bawołek.
This decision means that such vessels will not be allowed to dock at European ports.
Russia uses old tankers to transport oil, which it sells at prices higher than those set by the West. The condition of these ships poses an environmental risk and could lead to disasters such as oil spills. Russia is also suspected of using these "ghost ships" to damage underwater cables.
This is the second package of sanctions negotiated during Poland's presidency of the EU Council.
About 80% of Russian crude oil and petroleum products are transported through waters belonging to the European Union and G7 countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, and Japan. A full 60% of maritime oil exports are transported through the Baltic Sea.
Despite the sanctions imposed so far by the Western coalition countries on Russia, it continues to profit from oil, effectively bypassing restrictions.
A year ago, Prime Minister Donald Tusk expressed concerns about the danger posed by the ships "working" for Russia, sailing in the Baltic Sea.
"The problem—and I say this as someone who was born by the Baltic Sea and for whom the Baltic is something truly important—environmental protection is not a pretext to stop these ships from entering the Baltic. The Baltic is threatened by Russia on many levels regarding environmental protection issues," stated the head of the Polish government.
The United Kingdom and European Union countries have long announced their intention to combat these activities. However, victories in this field have been scarce.
Some countries have changed their laws to more effectively address ships carrying Russian oil. Among them is Estonia. The Estonian parliament passed a law that granted the country's navy the right to use force against ships in the Baltic Sea if they are found to pose a threat to national security.
