Germany unveiled fresh measures on Tuesday aimed at stemming the operations of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” of vessels in the Baltic and North Seas. Under the direction of the German foreign ministry, officials have started inspecting passing oil tankers for the presence of valid pollution insurance coverage, seeking to heighten oversight of vessels with dubious ownership and suspect safety standards.
The “shadow fleet” is a term used to describe an increasing fleet of old, quietly run tankers that enable Russia to maintain crude oil shipments since Western sanctions were put in place following its invasion of Ukraine. These vessels tend to skirt reputable insurance companies and shun docking at European ports, making them hard to track and regulate.
It is clear what our objective is: we are putting pressure on the Russian shadow fleet and we are defending the Baltic Sea,” stated German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul in a press release.
The inspections, which commenced on Tuesday, form part of Germany’s overall endeavor to impose sanctions and maintain maritime security. Authorities state that ships lacking legitimate insurance may be refused passage or face legal action.
The action reflects Germany’s dedication to protecting the environment and getting Russia to account for utilizing other networks to violate global sanctions.