The EU Council has sanctioned 41 ships from the Russian shadow fleet. This affects tankers that circumvent oil price caps, support Russia’s energy sector or transport military goods and stolen Ukrainian goods.
The European Union is continuing to tighten sanctions: as announced yesterday, it is imposing sanctions on a further 41 ships in the Russian shadow fleet.
These 41 ships will be added to the list of those subject to a ban on port access and the provision of a wide range of maritime services, the EU said. The aim of this measure is to target non-EU tankers that are part of Putin’s shadow fleet and circumvent the oil price cap or support the Russian energy sector, as well as vessels responsible for the transportation of military equipment for Russia or involved in the transportation of Ukrainian grain and cultural goods stolen from Ukraine.
The decision, which brings the total number of listed vessels to almost 600, is closely linked to recent decisions by the Council to sanction nine supporters of the shadow fleet and to adopt a declaration by the EU and its Member States. This aims to make full use of the international legal framework of the Law of the Sea to counter threats from the shadow fleet and protect critical underwater infrastructure.
The EU has also announced that it is prepared to increase pressure on Russia and the value chain of its shadow fleet, including by imposing further sanctions.
