Russia's shadow fleet ships oil with fake insurance — Bloomberg
Photo: Russian tankers use fake insurance to circumvent sanctions (Getty Images)
Many Russian tankers belonging to the shadow fleet are transporting oil using insurance certificates from a non-existent German company to circumvent international regulations, according to Bloomberg.
Fictitious insurance and fake addresses
According to Ukrainian intelligence documents, the tanker Paz, which is subject to sanctions by the US, the UK, and the EU, received an insurance certificate from Seaguard P&I.
Although the firm is supposedly based in Pinneburg, Germany, no such commercial entity exists in Germany.
The address listed in the documents and on the company’s website is actually a regular residential apartment building. In addition to the Paz, at least four other vessels have received similar fake certificates.
Tankers detention in Europe
Bloomberg reports that the tanker Deyna is among the vessels with questionable documentation. In March 2026, French authorities seized this vessel on suspicion of circumventing sanctions against Russia.
Recently, European countries have been increasingly intercepting such vessels near their territorial waters.
Such tankers are considered a threat to the environment and safety, as they violate international maritime regulations, sail under false flags, and use invalid insurance after being blacklisted by Western insurers.
Combating Russia's shadow fleet
Recently, European countries have stepped up pressure on Russian oil shipments, but they face legal challenges.
In particular, the Royal Navy is currently only monitoring Russian vessels in the English Channel due to concerns about violating international law.
Meanwhile, France is preparing tough measures, planning to double fines and prison terms for crews using false flags.
At the same time, Estonia has officially abandoned the use of force in the Baltic Sea, citing the critically high risk of a military confrontation with Russia.
