The European Union on Thursday imposed restrictive measures on an additional 41 vessels, that are allegedly part of Russia’s so called ‘shadow fleet’ of oil tankers. These vessels are banned from accessing ports and receiving maritime services in the EU. With these new listings, a total of 597 vessels now listed by the EU.
The 41 ships are added to the list of those subject to a port access ban and ban on provision of a broad range of services related to maritime transport.
Thursday’s decision -which brings the total of designated vessels to almost 600- is closely linked to recent EU Council decisions to list 9 ‘shadow fleet’ enablers and adopt a declaration by the EU and its member states on making full use of the international law of the sea framework relating to threats from the so-called ‘shadow fleet’ and to the protection of critical undersea infrastructure.
“This measure is intended to target non-EU tankers that are part of Putin’s shadow fleet circumventing the oil price cap mechanism or support the energy sector of Russia, or vessels that are responsible for transporting military equipment for Russia or involved in the transport of stolen Ukrainian grain and cultural goods from Ukraine,” the EU Council said on Dec. 18.
The EU Council on Monday adopted additional sanctions against five individuals and four entities accusing them of supporting Russia’s ‘shadow fleet.’
The entities targeted are shipping companies based in the United Arab Emirates, Vietnam and Russia.
The Council claims that the shipowners own or manage tankers that are subject to restrictive measures imposed by the EU or by other countries for being part of Russia’s shadow fleet, and that transport crude oil or petroleum products while practicing “irregular and high-risk shipping practices.”
Those designated are subject to an asset freeze and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds available to them.
Individuals are additionally subject to a travel ban, which prevents them from entering or transiting through EU member states.
Over the past 18 months, the EU has designated mostly oil tankers which do not meet insurance and safety standards. These vessels are subject to a ban on port access and on provision of maritime services.
