EU Plans Boardings Against Russia's Shadow Oil Fleet

The European Union is intensifying efforts to enforce sanctions on Russia's shadow tanker fleet, a clandestine network of up to 1,400 aging vessels used to circumvent oil sanctions related to the Ukraine war. The EU plans to grant member states pre-authorized powers to board and inspect ships suspected of breaching sanctions, operating under false flags, and posing significant environmental, maritime safety, and security risks. These ships often have opaque ownership, dubious or no insurance, and engage in tactics such as switching off satellite transponders and transferring oil at sea to evade detection. The shadow fleet also raises concerns about potential use for espionage and hybrid attacks, including drone launches, exemplified by incidents in Denmark. The EU's forthcoming sanctions package will expand its blacklist and expedite bans on Russian energy imports, with proposals calling for joint operations and cooperation with flag states to better monitor and control the fleet. This move marks a significant political escalation, signaling Europe's intent to rigorously police its maritime domain against Russia's sanctions evasion.