BBC Verify Investigation
An investigation by BBC Verify has revealed that Russia’s shadow fleet continues to use British maritime routes to export oil, despite Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s promises to tighten controls. Between March 25 and May 11, 184 vessels sanctioned by the UK were recorded making 238 transits through British waters. Of those, 94 entered UK territorial waters, which extend up to 12 nautical miles from the coast.
The vessel data was obtained from the MarineTraffic system. The UK government has provided no evidence of any ship being detained or inspected following the prime minister’s earlier statement that
'British military personnel can now board sanctioned vessels passing through our waters.'However, the UK Ministry of Defence has only claimed to have deterred the Russian fleet, without offering specific details. Former Royal Navy commander Tom Sharp criticized the lack of concrete action in this area.
Vessel Conditions and International Challenges
Most of the detected vessels are oil tankers, including:
- 173 oil tankers
- 10 liquefied gas tankers
- one multi-purpose vessel
Ships in the shadow fleet often disable their AIS systems to hide their routes, with AIS signals most frequently disappearing near the west coasts of Scotland and Ireland. One sanctioned vessel, the Universal, passed through the English Channel escorted by the Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich.
Moscow plans to increase the number of shadow fleet tankers flying the Russian flag, according to Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service. Meanwhile, EU and US authorities are increasingly detaining sanctioned vessels. However, international maritime law imposes limitations on actions against ships sailing under foreign flags. As expert James M. Turner noted:
'With very few exceptions, the position is that you cannot seize vessels flying another country’s flag.'
As a result, controlling Russia’s shadow fleet in British waters remains a complex challenge, and further government action may require new approaches to respond effectively. With growing activity by Russian tankers and a lack of effective enforcement mechanisms, focusing on international cooperation and developing fresh strategies to counter sanctions violations is critical. This could have significant implications for the security of maritime routes and the economies of allied nations.
As the situation evolves, it's important to understand the broader implications of Russia's maritime activities. Recent reports indicate that shadow fleet tankers are significantly altering their routes in the Baltic Sea. This shift may have repercussions for UK waters and international efforts to enforce sanctions, highlighting the challenges faced by authorities in monitoring these vessels effectively.