Russian shadow fleet spoofing signals in Norway’s Arctic waters to evade sanctions

Norway’s Arctic waters are becoming a focal point in the escalating geopolitical tensions between Russia and the West, as multiple Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers engage in dubious activities, reports High North News. These vessels, part of Russia’s emerging “dark fleet,” are reportedly spoofing their Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponder signals to evade detection while loading sanctioned LNG, raising significant concerns about maritime safety and environmental risks. The article highlighted a few key points:

• AIS Spoofing: Russian LNG carriers, including Pioneer and Asya Energy, have been caught spoofing their AIS signals to “disappear” while loading sanctioned LNG from Russia’s Arctic LNG 2 facility. These activities took place near Norway’s Exclusive Economic Zone in an area known as the “Loop Hole.”
• Lack of Insurance and Safety Risks: The vessels involved in these activities are registered under black-listed flags and are often aging with insufficient or no maritime insurance. This increases the risk of environmental disasters in Norway’s northern coastal waters.
• Norway’s Response: Despite the illegal activities occurring near and within Norway’s waters, it is unclear if Norwegian authorities are taking any action. Norway’s Coastal Administration has yet to respond to inquiries or clarify their stance on the matter.
• Geopolitical Implications: The movements of these Russian vessels through Norwegian waters underscore the growing entanglement of maritime safety and geopolitics in the Arctic region.