This week, the European Parliament is preparing to adopt a resolution calling for more “targeted” measures against the Russian Federation’s shadow fleet. Russia’s continued evasion of sanctions provides income and creates the risk of an environmental disaster. The European Parliament insists on “systematic sanctioning” of ships carrying Russian oil and calls on the EU to strengthen satellite monitoring and “targeted inspections” of tankers. Other proposals include new requirements for vessels to show proof of insurance in EU waters.
Russia increasingly uses a fleet of more than 600 old tankers with uncertain insurance coverage and ownership to transport its crude worldwide, accounting for almost half the Kremlin’s income. Fears are growing in the West that these old tankers could trigger an environmental disaster near the EU after media reports last month linked the shadow fleet to numerous oil spills.
Members of the European Parliament claim that the bloc should “ensure sufficient readiness” for oil to enter its waters.