EU targets Russia's 'shadow fleet' in new round of sanctions against Moscow
The EU has agreed a new package of sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine.
Among the measures is the targeting of Moscow’s shadow fleet of tankers moving liquefied natural gas (LNG) through Europe. They often lack proper insurance and have opaque ownership, according to reports.
The EU estimates that about 4-to-6 billion cubic meters of Russian LNG was shipped to third countries via EU ports last year. Russia is suspected of running the fleet to evade sanctions and keep up the flow of energy earnings so that it can finance the war.
The EU council said in a press release:
For the first time, the EU has adopted a measure targeting specific vessels contributing to Russia’s warfare against Ukraine, which are subject to a port access ban and ban on provision of services.
These vessels can be designated for various reasons such as the transport of military equipment for Russia, the transport of stolen Ukrainian grain, and support in the development of Russia’s energy sector, for instance through the transport of LNG components or transshipments of LNG.
This measure also targets tankers part of Putin’s dark fleet which circumvent the EU and Price Cap Coalition’s caps, while adopting deceptive shipping practices in complete disregard of international standards. 27 vessels were targeted today on these grounds.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/jun/24/russia-ukraine-war-live-russia-claims-us-responsible-for-ukrainian-attack-on-crimean-peninsula
