Nations unite to combat Russia’s shadow fleet of oil tankers evading sanctions

A coalition of countries has announced a coordinated effort to disrupt Russia’s growing use of a “shadow fleet” of oil tankers to circumvent international sanctions. The statement, released during a leadership conference of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) in Tallin, Estonia, highlights the increasing risks these unregulated vessels pose to maritime safety, environmental security and global trade systems.

The JEF is a UK-led defense cooperation group consisting of ten Northern European nations, focused on regional security, particularly in the North Atlantic, the High North, and the Baltic Sea. The group, which includes Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, frequently coordinates joint operations and policy initiatives to address security challenges in Northern Europe.

In their joint statement, the coalition emphasized the need to tackle Russia’s shadow fleet, a collection of aging, poorly maintained vessels used to transport Russian oil, while bypassing sanctions imposed after its invasion of Ukraine. These ships operate under flags of convenience to obscure their ownership and routes, raising the likelihood of oil spills, maritime accidents and disruptions to critical shipping lanes.

The nations plan to strengthen enforcement by requiring proof of valid insurance from vessels transiting key areas such as the English Channel, the Danish Straits, and the Gulf of Finland. Ships unable to comply with safety and insurance regulations may face penalties, tighter inspections, or further enforcement measures.

“These actions undermine the sanctions regime and pose unacceptable risks to our environment, our economies, and international maritime safety,” the statement reads. The coalition calls for greater international cooperation to close regulatory loopholes and ensure accountability for those facilitating Russia’s sanctions evasion.

While the Joint Expeditionary Force was formed as a military collaboration, its scope has expanded to address hybrid threats, such as economic and environmental security challenges posed by illicit oil trade. By working together, JEF member nations aim to limit Russia’s ability to exploit weak points in global shipping enforcement.