Answer given by Ms McGuinness on behalf of the European Commission
28.5.2024
Russia is using a shadow fleet of older tankers to transport its oil in an effort to circumvent EU sanctions and the Group of Seven (G7) oil price cap.
This fleet poses serious environmental and maritime safety risks globally, including along Member States’ coastlines. In this regard, the December 2023 International Maritime Organisation’s general assembly resolution on the shadow fleet[1] highlighted the negative impacts of these illegal shipping practices and the need to uphold internationally recognised safety and security standards.
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) grants vessels the right of innocent passage, which means the right to ‘freely navigate through territorial seas.’.
This means that preventing shadow fleet vessels from entering territorial waters or exclusive economic zone faces significant challenges.
The EU has so far adopted 13 sanctions packages in response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the 14th package is under discussion, which focuses on anti-circumvention efforts and improved enforcement.
The Council already adopted measures to address circumvention risks posed by the shadow fleet in the 11th and 12th sanctions packages[2].
The EU is in close dialogue with its G7+ partners to ensure alignment. Any decision to amend any of the existing sanctions is for the Council to take by unanimity.
The implementation and enforcement of EU sanctions is the responsibility of Member States. The Commission as guardian of the Treaties oversees this process.
It has dedicated significant efforts to support Member States, including with the assistance of the European Maritime Safety Agency to monitor any vessels of interest.
- [1] Resolution A.1192(33): https://wwwcdn.imo.org/localresources/en/KnowledgeCentre/IndexofIMOResolutions/AssemblyDocuments/A.1192(33).pdf
- [2] Such as introducing new measures to closely monitor the sale of tankers to third countries and increased compliance requirements for the G7+ Oil Price Cap, such as the provision of itemised cost information.