Espreso. Global

Russia shifts oil using shadow fleet tankers in Gulf of Finland - media

Sofia Polonska
30 September, 2024 Monday
20:51

An investigation by Finnish journalists has revealed a Russian shadow fleet that shifts oil through the Gulf of Finland on unsuitable tankers

client/title.list_title

This was reported by Yle investigators.

After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the EU imposed sanctions on Russian oil, and Western ships stopped transporting it.

The investigation revealed that Russia is using vessels belonging to the so-called shadow fleet to evade sanctions. These are oil tankers that either have Russian insurance or no insurance at all. If a vessel is not properly insured, it can be difficult to recover damages in the event of an accident, the journalists explain.

It is noted that from January to May 2024, about 600 tankers carrying Russian oil passed through the Gulf of Finland. Almost half of them, 283, belonged to the shadow fleet. Many of these vessels visited Russian oil ports several times during this period.

The Yle investigation states that in the spring, a blacklisted oil tanker passed through the Gulf of Finland every two weeks.

However, out of the 283 ships in the shadow fleet, only 11 were blacklisted. A blacklisted vessel means that it is in such poor condition or has such serious deficiencies that it is prohibited from operating. An independent maritime inspection organization, Paris MoU, can blacklist a ship.

In addition to having poor insurance, many oil tankers can also be old: nearly 7 out of 10 oil tankers operating in the Gulf of Finland are 15 years old or older.

There is no clear limit to the lifespan of oil tankers, but experts Yle has spoken to say that after 15 years, the risk of technical problems increases.

It is difficult to stop the movement of tankers that pick up Russian oil in the Russian oil harbors of Ust-Luga and Primorsk at the far end of the Gulf of Finland. According to experts, the traffic takes place in international waters, and the coastal state cannot interfere.

Only the flag state or the port state can intervene if the ship enters their harbor. Oil tankers carrying Russian oil avoid Baltic Sea ports.

  • An independent study conducted by the environmental organisation Greenpeace found that tankers carrying Russian oil continue to head for EU ports despite the sanctions.
Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2024, Friday
4 October
10:35
Exclusive
Situation is more complicated now: SBU colonel on Ukraine's Kursk operation
10:15
U.S. Department of Justice seizes Russian intelligence-linked domains used for fraud
10:00
Cigarette smuggling in tanks: Ukraine's Economic Security Bureau issues suspicion notices
09:57
Serbia unwilling to block RT’s propaganda: Reporters Without Borders asks EU to take action
09:37
Russia loses 1,230 soldiers, 15 tanks and 59 artillery systems in one day of war in Ukraine
2024, Thursday
3 October
21:40
Affiliate Material
Rebuilding Ukraine: how towns in Kyiv region are being restored after Russian occupation
21:15
EU needs Russia: Fico says he will ‘do everything to restore normal relations’ with Moscow
20:55
Russian army strikes at public transport stop in Kupyansk, wounding 16-year-old girl
20:40
Russia falsely claims Ukrainian attack on Kursk nuclear power plant
20:25
Updated
Russia spreads fake about Ukraine's attempt to attack Kursk NPP, Ukraine's MFA denies
20:07
Exclusive
Advisor to the Deputy Minister of Defense advocates export of Ukrainian-made drones
19:50
Exclusive
Russia gains new capabilities in producing Shahed drones - media
19:30
Affiliate Material
Rebuilding Ukraine: Houses in Zaporizhzhia undergo restoration after Russian attacks
19:11
Exclusive
Russia amasses forces for assault operations: 31st Brigade commander on Tavria direction
18:52
Forest fire destroys village in Kharkiv region, four people burned alive
18:35
Lives matter more than any buildings: Zelenskyy on Ukrainian army's withdrawal from Vuhledar
18:14
Exclusive
Fingers crossed for Ukraine's diplomacy to move in this direction: expert Zhmailo on joining NATO
17:53
Ukraine returns 6 children illegally deported to Russia by Russian puppet leader
17:35
Russia attacks settlements in Kursk region where there are no Ukrainian troops
17:15
Ukraine receives Patriot air defense system from Romania
16:56
Russian aggression damages 1,169 cultural heritage sites in Ukraine
16:34
Exclusive
Ukrainian UAVs have smoother path over Russia after destruction of Nebo-M radar – Ukrainian officer
16:15
PACE recognizes Holodomor of 1932-1933 as genocide of Ukrainian people
15:54
New NATO Secretary General Rutte arrives in Kyiv, meets with Zelenskyy
15:34
OPINION
West's plans: Wolves are relatively fed, sheep are relatively unharmed
15:16
Exclusive
New Council of Europe Secretary General is making the right moves for Ukraine, says correspondent Vysotska
14:55
Russia has committed over 4,700 environmental crimes against Ukraine, causing $64 billion in damages
14:42
Russia's North troop grouping: buildup in Kursk region surges
14:17
Ukrainian UAVs attack Russian warehouses with guided bombs at Borisoglebsk military airfield
13:58
OPINION
To win the war, Ukraine must join the civilized world
13:43
Released Ukrainian POWs describe Russian torture to PACE
13:28
Exclusive
Russia concentrates half million troops targeting regional centers - Ukrainian Navy Reserve Captain
12:58
Exclusive
Forced evacuation of children from Kupyansk right bank to finish soon – Military Administration
12:39
Ukrainian forces hit Russian Nebo-M radar with ATACAMS missiles
12:15
Russia attacks Ukraine with Shaheds, guided bombs: 12 injured in Kharkiv after high-rise strike
11:57
Saudi oil strategy threatens Russia's war economy
11:44
Rutte, Sikorski discuss need to strengthen Ukraine's air defense and logistics
11:16
142 skirmishes take place at Russian-Ukrainian front: Russia fires over 4,000 shells at Ukraine
10:57
Russian forces pressing, advancing in some areas of Kupyansk sector — regional authorities
10:15
Russia executes Ukrainian POWs: Lithuanian Foreign Ministry summons Russian ambassador
More news