German and French lawmakers prepare a joint initiative calling for stricter measures against Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” which is used to transport and export oil in ways intended to bypass Western sanctions. According to the reports, the draft will be reviewed in the Franco-German Parliamentary Assembly on June 22. The initiative calls for concrete actions, including tighter inspections of vessels suspected of operating within the shadow fleet, the detention or holding of ships that do not comply with relevant requirements, and increased diplomatic pressure on countries that issue the ships’ flags.
One account estimates the shadow fleet includes roughly 300 to 600 tankers, framing the problem as both a sanctions-avoidance and enforcement challenge. The reports also describe potential risks associated with these vessels, including security concerns and environmental hazards linked to aging and poorly maintained ships. The German effort is described as supported by major political parties in Germany, and the overall aim is to increase enforcement against non-compliant shipping linked to sanctioned activities.
