European Parliament to urge Russia shadow fleet crackdown

BRUSSELS — The European Parliament is preparing to pass a resolution calling for more “targeted” measures against Russia’s shadow fleet as evidence mounts that Moscow is dodging sanctions and risking an environmental disaster, according to a draft proposal seen by POLITICO.

The measure, which has broad support from political groups in the Parliament, presses for a “systematic sanctioning” of vessels carrying Russian oil, and urges the EU to beef up satellite monitoring and “targeted inspections” of tankers. It also proposes the adoption of fresh requirements for vessels to demonstrate proof of insurance in EU waters. 

The non-binding resolution is a response to ongoing revelations that Western sanctions against Moscow’s oil exports have largely failed. Russia increasingly leans on a fleet of over 600 aging tankers, with unknown insurance and obscure ownership, to ship its crude worldwide. The fossil-fuel trade makes up almost half of the Kremlin’s revenues.

The effort also follows growing fears that the creaky tankers could cause an environmental disaster near the EU, after POLITICO revealed last month that the shadow fleet has been linked to multiple oil spills in the world’s oceans — including two in European waters.

Experts have repeatedly warned that larger oil spills are now likely, which could decimate local wildlife and leave EU taxpayers on the hook for any cleanup. In the proposal, MEPs argue the bloc should “ensure there is sufficient preparedness” for further spills.

“It’s only a matter of time before we are faced with an environmental disaster,” said Jonas Sjöstedt, a Swedish MEP from the Left group who is leading work on the proposal. “If we do not stop the shadow fleet from transporting and selling oil in violation with international sanctions, we are also allowing for [Russian President Vladimir] Putin to finance his war machine.”

“With this resolution, the Parliament demands that the Union and its member states should act decisively to stop these tankers transporting oil through the Baltic Sea,” he added.

The EU has banned all seaborne imports of Russian oil and imposed a $60-per-barrel price limit on Moscow’s international oil trade alongside its G7 allies. But around 80 percent of Russia’s seaborne crude is now transported on vessels outside Western control, according to research from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, a think tank. 

The European Parliament has a largely symbolic role on sanctions, which are proposed by the European Commission, with all 27 countries subsequently required to sign off.

Still, some of the proposals in the resolution are already gaining traction in the EU, as early discussions begin around Brussels’ next sanctions package — its 15th since Moscow invaded Ukraine almost three years ago.

The MEP proposals “sound good,” said a diplomat from an EU country, granted anonymity to speak candidly, “because the shadow fleet circumvents sanctions and it is good to prevent any other [environmental] accidents.” A second diplomat called the suggestions “positive.”

Lawmakers will vote on the resolution, which is still subject to change, later this week.