Since the start of the war in Ukraine, the role of “shadow tankers”, these clandestine tankers transporting Russian and Iranian oil while circumventing sanctions, has raised serious concerns. Ukraine recently identified 238 of these vessels operating in the shadows, representing 17% of the world’s tanker fleet in terms of deadweight tonnage.
According to Ukrainian intelligence, these ships allow “aggressor states” to generate substantial revenues despite international sanctions. In 2023, Russia would have earned $188 billion from its oil exports, while Iran would have withdrawn $53 billion. This revenue, essential to supporting their economies and financing their military strategies, is made possible by a fleet composed mainly of old, poorly maintained ships, flying flags of convenience.
Worrying maritime practices
“Shadow tankers” use various tactics to escape controls. They conceal the origin of their cargoes, carry out oil transfers on the high seas and take dangerous routes without respecting local or international regulations. Of the 238 vessels identified, 218 carry Russian oil and 51 specialize in Iranian oil, with some operating for both countries.
These practices are not without consequences. Since 2022, more than 50 incidents involving these vessels have been recorded, particularly in high-traffic areas such as the Denmark Strait and Arctic waters. These incidents highlight the risks of major accidents, both environmentally and economically, for coastal countries.
Insufficient sanctions
Despite these warnings, only 134 of the “shadow tankers” are currently registered on the blacklists of Western countries. Ukraine urges the international community to strengthen punitive measures, in particular through secondary sanctions targeting the owners, operators and managers of these vessels. Other recommended actions include blocking international maritime passages for these vessels, banning cargo transfers on the high seas, and increased cooperation between states.
In response, the European Union (EU) adopted a 15th package of sanctions against Russia on December 11, including expanded measures against these vessels. According to sources, this new package could add between 52 and 79 tankers to the blacklist. However, these measures remain limited given the scale of the problem. A recent analysis indicates that nearly 586 tankers carrying Russian oil and 155 vessels dedicated to Iranian oil are operating despite sanctions.
Key importers little concerned
The effectiveness of sanctions is also limited by the willingness of major Russian and Iranian oil importers to accept these cargoes. India, the largest buyer of Russian crude, and China, the main importer of Iranian oil and second buyer of Russian crude, continue to use these ships to secure their energy supplies.
The Ukrainian authorities are calling for increased international mobilization to curb these clandestine maritime activities. In addition to the economic and environmental risks, these ships highlight the flaws in the current sanctions system and the challenges that remain to ensure their effectiveness.
