Strike against Russia’s shadow fleet. EU prepares sanctions over false flags – Bloomberg
Illustrative photo: at least eight vessels of the shadow fleet” were sailing under false flags (Getty Images)
The European Union is considering imposing sanctions on three companies that provided false flags to tankers in Russia’s shadow fleet, Bloomberg informs.
The agency reviewed documents outlining sanctions against three companies. These companies provided fake flags of Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten to at least eight vessels that are already under sanctions.
In reality, these territories do not offer such services, as they are not listed in the so-called Paris Registry of Official Flags.
In May, the Netherlands warned the International Maritime Organization that the companies were issuing "fraudulent certificates" on behalf of Sint Maarten.
The proposed measures are part of an EU sanctions package currently being discussed by European countries.
Russia’s shadow fleet
One in six tankers worldwide belongs to the aggressor country’s shadow fleet, accounting for about 17% of all active tankers.
Since the beginning of 2025, analysts have counted 940 vessels as part of Russia’s shadow fleet, a figure 45% higher than last year’s.
The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense has reported that the Russian shadow fleet currently includes up to 1,000 vessels with a total deadweight of over 100 million tons.
Most of these are old and inexpensive tankers used to export oil and petroleum products.
RBC-Ukraine previously reported that on September 19, the European Commission presented the 19th package of anti-Russian sanctions, which includes additional measures targeting Russia’s shadow fleet.
