Shifts in Routes of Russian Oil Vessels
Russian shadow fleet ships have begun avoiding British and French waters as interception efforts intensify. London and Paris have tightened surveillance on sanctioned tankers, forcing these oil vessels to take a longer route around Britain via the North Atlantic instead of the traditional passage through the English Channel. This detour now adds over a full day to each ship's journey.
According to reports, five sanctioned tankers that docked at Primorsk on Friday chose a path circumventing Great Britain. Primorsk is Russia's largest oil-loading port. Two other ships positioned near Portugal's coast also opted for the extended route, signaling a broader trend among Russian oil carriers. Notably, bypassing the English Channel can cost each vessel an extra 100 tons of marine fuel, representing roughly 60% of the voyage's total expenses.
Tanker Interceptions and New Legislation
In this context, it is worth noting that French, British, and Swedish military forces have intercepted 13 tankers so far this year. These include:
- the tanker Smyrtos, detained by Britain on June 14;
- the vessel Deliver, stopped by France near Sicily on June 23;
- and the tanker Invicta, which on June 29 sailed around the Cape of Good Hope, adding over 10 days to its trip.
Since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022, Moscow has built a shadow fleet comprising more than 700 oil tankers. This fleet operates under roughly 21 flag registries, and the number of ships changing flags more than doubled last year. An anonymous European security official stated:
“Russian ships are doing everything possible to avoid foreign territorial waters.”
Additionally, Ireland and Belgium are enacting laws to stop and inspect sanctioned vessels. It is important to note that a ship without state affiliation can be boarded without special procedures. These vessels transport Russian oil from the Baltic or Black Sea through the Mediterranean to Asia, highlighting strategic shifts in oil supply routes amid tightening international sanctions.
The changes in Russian oil vessel routes demonstrate Moscow's adaptation to new conditions of international pressure and sanctions. The detours require extra costs and time, potentially impacting the overall economics of Russian oil deliveries. This situation underscores how global efforts to monitor sanctioned ships are compelling Russia to rethink its traditional logistics pathways.
In light of these developments, the situation surrounding Russia's shadow fleet continues to evolve. As the Kremlin reacts to international pressure, Moscow has lodged a formal complaint with the International Maritime Organization regarding Ukrainian attacks on its vessels. This escalation illustrates the complexities of maritime operations amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.