Following the Russia-Ukraine War, the West’s sanctions against Moscow have mostly aimed to strike at the country’s energy revenues. However, one of the most remarkable methods Russia has developed to mitigate the impact of sanctions has been to deploy the ship network known in international public opinion as the “Shadow Fleet.” This fleet is a vast and irregular network consisting of generally aged, uninsured oil tankers with unclear ownership, organized for the purpose of circumventing sanctions.
The fundamental function of the Shadow Fleet is to ensure the transportation of crude oil and refined products from Russia to world markets, particularly to Asian countries.[1] The 60-dollar price cap application and parallel insurance ban that came into effect at the end of 2022 by the G7 and European Union (EU) effectively prevented tankers receiving transportation and insurance services from Western countries from carrying Russian oil. At this point, the Shadow Fleet came into play, becoming an economic lifeline for Russia. Ships left over from the Soviet era have been revitalized using methods employed by countries with sanctions experience such as Iran and Venezuela.
These ships often sail in secrecy by turning off the position reporting system known as the Automatic Identification System (AIS). Additionally, to avoid legal responsibility, their ownership appears to belong to shell companies established in offshore centers such as Panama, Liberia, and the Marshall Islands. Moreover, most of these tankers operate without insurance or work through low-profile insurance companies obtained from countries friendly to Russia.
The Russian Shadow Fleet is not only an economic but also a strategic tool. Russia’s ability to maintain its energy shipments allows it to lighten the economic burden of war and create financial resources. Therefore, the Shadow Fleet has become an important vulnerability point in terms of neutralizing Europe’s sanctions policies. The EU and its allies have implemented comprehensive sanctions targeting Russia’s energy sector following the invasion of Ukraine. The main objective of these sanctions was to reduce Russian energy revenues, thereby making the financing of war more difficult. However, Russia’s Shadow Fleet Strategy seriously weakens the effectiveness of EU sanctions.
The sanctions implemented by Europe include; price cap application on Russian oil exports (60 dollars/barrel), insurance ban on Russian tankers, and prohibition of Russian energy products from European ports.[2] These measures are aimed at disrupting the logistics chain by preventing Western insurance companies and financial institutions from working with Russian tankers. However, Russia attempts to overcome these obstacles by using the Shadow Fleet that evades sanctions, particularly in shipments to Asian markets.
The EU has developed new monitoring technologies and cooperation mechanisms to track and prevent the said fleet. Satellite-based monitoring systems and inconsistencies in AIS data are being attempted to be detected. Additionally, EU countries and partners are conducting coordinated operations through maritime authorities to limit the activities of ships belonging to the Shadow Fleet. However, the structure of the Shadow Fleet and the methods it employs make the implementation of sanctions difficult. Ships turn off AIS signals, conceal their ownership through offshore companies, and use ports of countries that do not implement sanctions. This situation creates serious legal and operational challenges in the implementation and supervision phases of sanctions. Particularly, the identification of the real owners of ships and proving sanctions evasion allegations in international law stands out as a complex process.
Although the EU’s sanctions are continuously updated and more effective tools are being developed against the Shadow Fleet, it is seen that this struggle is long-term and multi-dimensional. The Russian Shadow Fleet poses serious risks for Europe not only in terms of economic and sanctions dimensions but also in terms of maritime security and environmental sustainability. The aged and technically inadequately maintained tankers in this fleet carry high risks particularly against maritime accidents and oil spills. Additionally, most of the tankers in the Shadow Fleet lack standard insurance or work with low-quality insurance companies. This situation may lead to the failure of compensation processes in case of a possible accident or environmental disaster and may increase Europe’s burden regarding coastal security and the remediation of environmental damages.
The Shadow Fleet is seen not only as a sanctions and economic problem but also as an important threat element for Europe’s maritime security and environmental sustainability. Therefore, Europe needs to develop special measures against the Shadow Fleet in its maritime security strategies. The measures Europe can take alone against the Russian Shadow Fleet remain limited. Therefore, international cooperation and coordination play a key role in effectively controlling the Shadow Fleet. The EU, together with NATO allies and other international actors, is strengthening both the implementation of sanctions and the tracking of the Shadow Fleet by developing joint mechanisms.
Many countries are sharing satellite and radar systems in detecting the Shadow Fleet, taking international legal steps for the transparency of ship registration information. Additionally, institutions such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) are creating global standards against sanctions evasion activities and trying to increase transparency in maritime transportation. Particularly in the Baltic Sea and Northern European ports, joint patrols and information sharing are being conducted for strict control of Russian tankers’ movements. Additionally, observation and sanctions implementation efforts against the Shadow Fleet have intensified in the Asia-Pacific region. This international coordination narrows the operational area of the Shadow Fleet and increases the applicability of sanctions.
In conclusion, in the struggle against the Shadow Fleet, strengthening international cooperation and coordination, tightening legal regulations, and taking transparency-enhancing measures in the maritime sector are necessary. In this way, the effectiveness of sanctions can be increased and the regional and global risks of the Shadow Fleet can be minimized. In summary, an effective struggle against the Shadow Fleet requires a multi-dimensional and long-term approach. The implementation of sanctions, technological investments, legal regulations, and strengthening international coordination are critical elements. The decisions Europe will make in this process will be decisive in terms of regional stability and energy security.
[1] “What is Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ of oil tankers?”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/key-points-about-russias-shadow-fleet-oil-tankers-2025-05-15/, (Date Accessed:24.05.2025).
[2] “Europe’s long, arduous battle against Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ is far from over”, Euronews, https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/05/24/europes-long-arduous-battle-against-russias-shadow-fleet-is-far-from-over, (Date Accessed: 24.05.2025).
