EU's Plan to Crack Down on Russia's Secret Oil Tankers

The European Union is pushing for a new plan to inspect Russia's hidden oil tankers, known as the "shadow fleet." This move is part of the EU's effort to cut off Russia's oil money, which is being used to fund the war in Ukraine. The EU's diplomatic team is asking member countries to support this plan, which would allow inspections of these secretive ships.

Ensuring Sanctions Are Not Bypassed

The idea is to make sure that Russia can't easily bypass the sanctions that have been put in place. The EU has already taken action against some of these ships, like France did with the Boracay vessel. The plan also includes dealing with fake ship registrations, which are used to hide the true owners and operators of these vessels.

The Shadow Fleet

The EU estimates that there are between 600 and 1,400 ships in this shadow fleet. They have already sanctioned more than 400 of these ships and the companies that help them operate. Once the EU's next set of sanctions is approved, this number will go up to about 560 ships. The new sanctions will also include a ban on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, which was originally scheduled for 2028 but has been moved up to 2027.

Targeting Support Services

The EU is also targeting the services that help these ships, like refueling at sea. This is known as bunkering, and it's a crucial part of how these ships operate. By cutting off these services, the EU hopes to make it even harder for Russia to move its oil around the world.

Broader Strategy

This plan is just one part of the EU's broader strategy to put pressure on Russia. The G7 countries have also agreed to work together on this issue. The goal is to make sure that Russia can't use its oil and gas revenue to fund the war in Ukraine. It's a complex challenge, but the EU is determined to make a difference.