On Wednesday, March 25, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that he has authorized the military to board and detain Russian vessels. The UK government alleges that these ships belong to a specific transportation network dedicated to assisting Moscow in transporting oil and evading Western sanctions.
At the same time of this decision, several European and American countries including Sweden, France, and the United States are intensifying efforts to combat Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet.”
Starmer pointed out that due to the US-led coalition’s bombing of Iran’s Tehran regime, Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has led to a surge in international oil prices. President Putin of Russia may be “secretly pleased” at this moment, so Starmer approved taking tougher action against these vessels.
In a statement, Starmer said, “This is why we must intensify efforts to combat their shadow fleet. This is not only to defend the security of the UK, but also to cut off Putin’s dirty profits, which are fueling his attacks on Ukraine.”
The British Prime Minister’s Office (10 Downing Street) stated that the UK military and law enforcement are prepared to board Russian ships that refuse to surrender, are armed, or use advanced technology to evade interception.
The Prime Minister’s Office further explained that once boarding and detention are completed, authorities may criminally prosecute shipowners, operators, and crew for violating sanctions laws.
Since Russia’s attack on Ukraine in 2022, it has relied on the “shadow fleet” to continue exporting oil, thereby circumventing sanctions imposed by Western countries.
However, in order to stabilize the global energy market amid the turmoil caused by the war in Iran, the US government has granted a 30-day waiver to countries allowing them to purchase sanctioned Russian products currently stranded at sea. Some believe that this move could weaken European efforts to keep pressure on Russia.
Starmer is set to attend the Joint Expeditionary Force Summit in Helsinki on Thursday, March 26, where he is expected to urge countries to collectively enhance efforts to detain Russia’s “shadow fleet.”
Currently, the UK has imposed sanctions on 544 Russian shadow fleet vessels, some of which occasionally sail across the English Channel separating England and France. According to British estimates, about three-quarters of Russia’s oil relies on these ships for transportation to fund its four-year war in Ukraine.
Moreover, these shadow fleets used for oil and gas transportation often have highly opaque ownership structures and are nearing their operational lifespan limit (average ship age is about 18 years). Without proper maintenance, the risk of maritime accidents is very high, posing a significant threat to marine ecosystems.
(Reference: This article was based on a report from Reuters)