Russia’s Shadow Fleet of Oil Tankers designed to avoid Sanctions, poses a Serious Threat to the UK and other International Waters. Members of Parliament have written a Letter to Foreign Secretary David Lammy, warning of the potentially Catastrophic Dangers from the ‘ticking time-bomb’ Vessels. It’s feared the Ships could cause an Invironmental Disaster, like an Oil Spill, off the UK Coast.
Labour's Uma Kumaran and Tim Roca, have called for "Shadow-Free" Zones to be established in British Waters to Protect Coastal Communities and Marine Ecosystems. Lammy issued a Major Snctions Package of the Russian Shadow Fleet late 2024, but worried Voices are still being Raised in Westminster.
These Shadow Ships are often Ageing Vessels which have convoluted Ownership, often in a bid to Evade Western Sanctions after Russia Invaded Ukraine. Roca said: ‘With approximately 10 such tankers passing through the English Channel every day, the risk to our waters and coastal communities from these dangerous ships is immense. The UK should lead the way in enforcing maritime safety and environmental protection.’
In late December, 2024, Finland detained a Russian Oil Tanker thought to be related to Damage of a Key Undersea Cable. An investigation by the Kyiv School of Economics Institute (KSE) found Russia built its Shadow Fleet, and found it bought Older Vessels for a Cheaper Price, largely ignoring Maritime Safety Laws. KSE also wrote that it’s Not-a-Matter of If a Maritime Disaster happens with these Vessels, but When.
The Weak Link in the Regulatory Framework, together with the dramatically Expanded Role of Shadow Tankers in the Russian Oil Trade, means that a Major Environmental Disaster is only a Qquestion-of-Time. Several Close Calls with these Ageing Ships have been Reported in recent years, including One Collision in Denmark last March.
Then, a 15-year-old Oil Tanker Collided with another Ship, avoiding serious Disaster, but still ringing Alarm Bells for European Authorities. Many of the Ahips, like the One in Denmark, are well over the Industry Standard Age Limit of 15 years, which makes them more Prone to Mechanical Failure.
They also don’t have Up-to-Date Insurance, meaning if an Oil Tanker experiences a Spill, the Cleanup Costs would be put on the Country in which the Spill occurred. To Address any potential Disaster, MPs have proposed a "Shadow-Free" Zone of UK Territorial Waters to Prevent a potentially Catastrophic Disaster. Kumaran added: "The establishment of Shadow-Free Zones will not only protect our environment but also set a global precedent for responsible shipping practices."’
Russia’s Secret Ships have gotten them into Trouble recently, with One Detained by Finnish Authorities around Christmas. Finnish Police and Border Guards boarded the Eagle S around Midnight and took over, according to Helsinki Police Chief Jari Liukku.
It had been Travelling through Finland’s exclusive Economic Zone and taken into Finnish Waters. The Ship is flagged in the Cook Islands, but was described by Finnish Customs Officials as a Suspected part of the Shadow Fleet of Fuel Rankers.
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