EU Sanctions 52 Vessels of Russia’s ‘Shadow Fleet’ in Latest Package
17 December, 2024 Tanker IMO 9412359 ("BELGOROD") from the sanctions list. Source: Marine Traffic The European Union adopted the 15th package of restrictive measures in response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
It imposed sanctions on 52 ships of the shadow fleet and for the first time imposed full sanctions on Chinese companies. This was reported on the EU Council website. The Council agreed on a significant package of 84 listings, which consists of 54 persons and 30 entities responsible for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.
As regards individuals, the EU is sanctioning the military unit responsible for the striking of the Okhmatdyt children hospital in Kyiv, senior managers in leading companies in the energy sector, individuals responsible for children deportation, propaganda and circumvention, as well as two high-ranking officials of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. As to entities, the EU targeted primarily Russian defence companies and shipping companies responsible for the transportation of crude oil and oil products by the sea.
Sanctions against tankers
52 vessels originating from third countries were targeted today on these grounds, bringing the total of designated vessels to 79.
Shadow tanker IMO 9610793 (GEORGY MASLOV). Source: Marine Traffic
Sanctioned vessels are denied access to EU ports and a wide range of maritime-related services are blocked.
The measure targets tankers from non-EU countries that circumvent the oil price cap or support Russia's energy sector. And vessels responsible for the transportation of military equipment for Russia or involved in the transportation of stolen Ukrainian grain. The United States and the United Kingdom also impose similar sanctions on ships.
In particular, at the end of November, the UK imposed sanctions on 30 shadow fleet vessels. This brought their total number to 73, more than any other country. Ukrainian intelligence has identified another 238 Russian shadow fleet vessels, bringing the total to 545 used to circumvent Western sanctions imposed on Russia and Iran.
Tanker IMO 9402471 (FENG SHOU) from the list of sanctioned vessels.
Source: Maritime Optima
These are vessels based in "friendly" jurisdictions and flying "convenient" flags. They have a deadweight of more than 100 million tons, which is about 17% of the global oil tanker fleet. "Revenues from oil sales provide authoritarian actors with resources to implement nuclear programs, develop modern drones and missiles, provide ongoing financial and material support for terrorist activities of their regional proxies, and pay for the services of transnational crime networks," the intelligence report says.
In addition, for the first time, the EU has imposed full-fledged sanctions on Chinese companies that supply drone components and microelectronic components to support Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine.
The restrictive measures also targeted companies from India, Iran, Serbia, and the United Arab Emirates that were involved in circumventing trade restrictions or purchasing sensitive goods for Russia.