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Shadow Fleet Risks Rise: EU & UK Urged to Act
27 Nov
Summary
- Over 160 shadow vessels linked to Russia by September 2025.
- False-flagged tankers carried EUR 1.4 billion in oil via Denmark.
- Risks to coastlines include accidents and oil spills.
A growing number of Russian "shadow" tankers are now operating under false flags, raising significant concerns by September 2025. These vessels, totaling 162 according to CREA, are part of a fleet that has avoided flagging since the Ukraine invasion. In September, these false-flagged ships transported an estimated EUR 1.4 billion in Russian crude oil and products across the Danish Straits.
The operation of these shadow tankers presents substantial risks. Their insurance is invalidated, and many are old vessels brought back into service, increasing the likelihood of accidents and oil spills. Coastal states along their routes face mounting environmental and security threats. CREA emphasizes that these false-flag operations violate international maritime law and pose a danger to European and British coastlines.
CREA is calling for immediate global reforms, spearheaded by the EU and UK. Detaining these vessels could disrupt Russian oil export logistics, inflate costs for Moscow, and diminish the reliability of oil flows that fund its war effort. The report urges decisive action to mitigate these escalating risks.
