PUTIN’S “SHADOW FLEET” ADDED TO UK & OTHER COUNTRY SANCTION LISTS

On 18 July 2024, the UK designated 11 vessels under the RUSSIAN SANCTIONS regime to counter what the Prime Minister [PM] termed  Putin’s “shadow fleet.”

Following the designations, the UK PM published a “joint call to action” against “Russia’s shadow fleet”, endorsed by the 44 European Political Community and the EU nations.

• https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-shadow-fleet-a-call-to-action

The document states the endorsing nations have united to

• “address the risks that the ‘shadow fleet’ poses to the environment, maritime safety, and security in Europe and beyond”.

THE UK GOVERNMENT SAYS……

1. Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ poses a threat to our nations and others who depend on the world’s seas and oceans.
2. Many ships in this ‘shadow fleet’ are uninsured and poorly maintained.
3. Many engage in activities which violate basic safety and environmental standards and regulations.
4. We are coming together today determined to address the risks that the ‘shadow fleet’ poses to the environment, maritime safety and security in Europe and beyond, the integrity of international seaborne trade, and respect for international maritime law.
5. The ‘shadow fleet’ comprises ships engaged in illegal operations to circumvent sanctions, evade compliance with safety or environmental regulations, avoid insurance costs, or engage in other illegal activities.

THE UK GOVERNMENT SAYS IT:-

1. strongly endorse the IMO Resolution A.1192(33), which urged the IMO Member States and all relevant stakeholders to prevent illegal operations in the maritime sector by the ‘shadow fleet’.
2. welcomes the steps Coastal States have already taken and are taking, particularly the firm measures adopted by the European Union. It is critical to ensure full compliance with all safety, liability, and environmental rules across the maritime economy.
3. Call on flag States to ensure that ships flying their flag adhere to the highest possible safety and pollution prevention requirements and best practices, including those contained within relevant IMO conventions and resolutions.
4. Calls on port States to ensure the enforcement of the safety and liability conventions on these ships, including those related to ship-to-ship transfer operations and the requirement to have valid State certificates of insurance on board.
5. urges ship owners and operators, the marine insurance industry, shipbrokers, and other relevant maritime stakeholders to adhere to their relevant obligations and support the prevention, detection and reporting of ‘shadow fleet’ activities.
6. Encourages IMO Member States to closely review the risks posed by the ‘shadow fleet’ and take further collective action at the IMO to address those risks.
7. has agreed to share information on the practices and operations of the ‘shadow fleet’, to coordinate our responses to the risks posed by its ships and facilitators, and to work with the private sector and other maritime stakeholders to address the threat. 
8. It has asked its relevant officials and experts to meet together, as a group and in regional formats, in order to take forward concrete measures to those ends with the greatest urgency.

This ‘Call to Action’ has been endorsed by:

• Albania
• Andorra
• Austria
• Belgium
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czechia
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Georgia
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Ireland
• Italy
• Kosovo
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Moldova
• Monaco
• Montenegro
• Netherlands
• North Macedonia
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• San Marino
• Serbia
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Ukraine
• United Kingdom
• The European Union

Published 19 July 2024

• https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-shadow-fleet-a-call-to-action

OTHER SOURCES

• https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-shadow-fleet-a-call-to-action
• https://x.com/10DowningStreet/status/1814208046484042219
• https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-shadow-fleet-a-call-to-action
• https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKFCDO/bulletins/3a955ad