The Estonian government announced that twelve Western countries had agreed on measures to “disrupt and deter” the activities of Russia's “shadow fleet” in order to prevent sanctions violations and increase the costs of the war on Moscow's side.
Five Nordic countries, three Baltic countries and Netherlands, GermanyPoland i Great Britain. They will participate in the inspections of the “shadow fleet”, i.e. tankers secretly transporting oil Denmark, Estonia, FinlandPoland, Sweden and Great Britain.
Russian tanker Christophe de MargerieShutterstock
Inspections will take place in the English Channel, the Danish Straits and the Gulf of Finland.
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal emphasized that the “shadow fleet” threatens the security of Europe, its economy and the environment. – We are taking coordinated steps to stop the Russian “shadow fleet” and its attempts to circumvent sanctions – he said, quoted by the BNS news agency.
Another package of EU sanctions
On Monday, European Union member states adopted the 15th package of sanctions against Russia and its allies involved in the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine. It imposes restrictions on 84 people and entities that, among others: circumvent the restrictions imposed on Russia, including by using the “shadow fleet”.
According to the Kiev School of Economics, Russia's “shadow fleet” numbers from 160 to 200 tankers and can handle about 78 percent. maritime exports of Russian oil. These ships have an opaque ownership structure, and many of them are obsolete and do not undergo regular renovations.
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