EU Plans Enhanced Inspections to Curb Russia's Shadow Fleet Oil Shipments

The European Union is intensifying efforts to combat Russia's shadow fleet, a large group of tankers used to circumvent sanctions on Russian oil exports tied to the Ukraine war, currently estimated to number between 600 and 1,400 vessels. The EU is proposing a maritime declaration to strengthen international maritime law, allowing member states to conduct pre-authorized boardings and inspections of these vessels, which often operate under various flags to avoid seizure. This move aims to address not only the economic impact of sanction evasion but also environmental and security risks, as these tankers pose threats to maritime safety and could potentially be used for hybrid attacks involving drones. The EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, is set to negotiate bilateral agreements with flag states, supported by a draft declaration expected to be finalized by the end of November 2025 and adopted at an EU Foreign Ministers meeting. These initiatives complement ongoing enforcement actions by member states, such as France's boarding of the tanker Boracay, and efforts to deregister older vessels from registries like Panama. Together, these measures reflect a coordinated attempt by the EU and its allies to curtail Russia's ability to finance its war economy through illicit oil shipments while mitigating associated risks to coastal environments and infrastructure.