Russia’s ‘shadow vessels’ using false flags to skirt sanctions, report says

Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera
2d ago 6 views
The US imposed sanctions on Russia's largest oil firms as reports reveal Russian vessels are using false flags to evade these sanctions. This highlights ongoing challenges in enforcing sanctions against Russia's oil trade.
Russia’s ‘shadow vessels’ using false flags to skirt sanctions, report says
A What happened
In October, the US government imposed sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies, Lukoil and Rosneft, marking the first such action by President Trump since his return to office. A report from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) reveals that 113 Russian vessels have been using false flags to evade these sanctions, transporting approximately 11 million tonnes of oil worth $5.4 billion. The report highlights that the number of shadow vessels is increasing, with significant amounts of oil being transported through key maritime routes. Experts suggest that enforcement of sanctions is becoming more challenging due to these evasive tactics. The report calls for reforms in flagging regulations to better address the issue of shadow vessels and their operations.
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Key insights

  • 1

    Increase in Shadow Vessels

    113 Russian vessels used false flags to evade sanctions.

  • 2

    Significant Oil Transported

    These vessels transported 11 million tonnes of oil valued at $5.4 billion.

  • 3

    Need for Regulatory Reform

    Experts urge the EU and UK to reform flagging regulations.

  • 4

    Challenges in Enforcement

    Enforcement of sanctions is becoming increasingly difficult.

Takeaways

The use of false flags by Russian vessels poses significant challenges to the enforcement of sanctions aimed at curbing Russia's oil trade. Enhanced regulatory measures and international cooperation are essential to address this issue effectively.

Topics

Business Economy Politics & World International Affairs Environment Energy