The EU is closing a sanctions loophole: it would move on the Russian shadow oil fleet

THE Dark fleet disguised by Moscow fuels Russia’s military production, the Swedish foreign minister declared. The European Commission will examine how to deal with Russia’s shadow oil fleet as part of the next set of sanctions, he said Tobias Billström Swedish Foreign Minister in an interview on Monday.

The shadow fleet, which is estimated to consist of 1,400 ships with an opaque ownership background, not only helps Russia evade sanctions, but also poses a clear environmental threat, the head of the ministry highlighted at the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg, according to Politico’s report.

This fleet feeds Russia’s coffers. However, analysts warn that drastic measures such as banning ships from EU waters could be interpreted by Moscow as an escalation.

The European Commission and the EU’s diplomatic department are now thoroughly reviewing all elements of the shadow fleet and what can be done against it. This will be followed by the Commission’s report to the European Council.

According to the Swedish minister, they would contact the port states and take action against the owners, operators, insurance companies in any third country that Russia is using today to operate the shadow fleet. This would be the first time the EU has examined this sanctions loophole since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.