Denmark moves to curb Putin's shadow fleet in European waters - Bloomberg
Russia uses old vessels for shadow fleet (photo: Getty Images)
Denmark will tighten control over oil tankers passing through its waters amid Europe's efforts to stop the activities of Russia's shadow fleet, which helps Moscow evade sanctions, Bloomberg reports.
According to the Danish government, older vessels, which are often used by the shadow fleet and pose an environmental threat due to their poor technical condition, will be subject to strict scrutiny.
"We must put a stop to Putin's war machine. We're using everything at our disposal," said Danish Minister for Industry, Business and Financial Affairs Morten Bødskov.
The statement came amid recent calls by French President Emmanuel Macron for the detention of oil tankers.
Meanwhile, prosecutors in France are investigating a case involving a vessel that failed to provide proof of its national affiliation and flag and refused to comply with the navy's demands.
The outlet notes that the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union have already imposed sanctions on hundreds of tankers that help Russia export oil to finance its war against Ukraine.
"Still, Russian oil has mostly continued to flow, aided by the shadow fleet," Bloomberg concluded.
Situation with Russia's shadow fleet tankers
The European Union is preparing legal grounds to stop Russia's shadow fleet tankers in the Baltic Sea.
Currently, one in six tankers worldwide belongs to Russia's shadow fleet, accounting for approximately 17% of the total number of active tankers.
Analysts have counted up to 1,000 vessels in Russia's shadow fleet since the beginning of 2025.
Russia's shadow fleet tankers continue to discharge oil near Europe's shores despite sanctions, raising fears in the EU of an environmental disaster.
