This is reported by Kyiv24
The European Union has added another 41 oil tankers to its sanctions list, belonging to the so-called “shadow fleet” of the Russian Federation. According to the decision of the EU Council, these vessels are now prohibited from entering the ports of EU countries and are also denied access to a wide range of services related to maritime transportation.
Purpose of the Sanctions and Consequences for the Russian Fleet
The measures are aimed at tankers that transport oil from Russia in circumvention of the established price cap, support the energy sector of the Russian Federation, transport military equipment for Russia, or participate in the transportation of stolen Ukrainian grain and cultural valuables. The sanctions list includes vessels that do not belong to EU countries and actively facilitate the circumvention of international restrictions imposed on the Russian oil sector following its full-scale aggression against Ukraine in 2022.
“This step targets tankers from non-EU countries that are part of Putin’s shadow fleet, which bypasses the oil price cap mechanism, supports the energy sector of Russia, or are responsible for transporting military equipment for Russia or participating in the transportation of stolen Ukrainian grain and cultural valuables from Ukraine,” the statement said.
Expansion of Sanctions and the Fight Against the ‘Shadow Fleet’
According to the EU, the total number of vessels under sanctions is now approaching 600. Recently, nine more vessels that also contributed to the activities of the “shadow fleet” were added to this list. Additionally, a declaration was adopted by the EU and member states on the full utilization of international maritime law to counter the threats posed by the “shadow fleet” and to strengthen the protection of critical underwater infrastructure.
It is worth noting that the “shadow fleet” refers to tankers that Russia uses to circumvent sanctions against its oil industry. Such restrictions have been in place since 2022, following the onset of Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine.