Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated today, Thursday, that the "U.S. plans to curb Russian oil tanker operations known as the 'shadow fleet' are unacceptable." The United States and its allies are considering additional sanctions and may act further to increase the costs for Russia of using a shadow fleet of tankers to evade the price cap set by the Group of Seven on Russian oil.
What are shadow fleets? "Shadow fleets" refer to clandestine maritime transport networks that operate secretly to transport oil and other goods under the guise of secrecy to avoid international sanctions or trade restrictions. These fleets often operate "in convoluted ways," which include changing flags, disabling tracking devices, and using shell companies.
**Operational Motivations:**
- Evade international sanctions, particularly those imposed on countries like Iran and Venezuela.
- Generate profits by taking advantage of price differences in black or gray markets.
Reports indicate that the "shadow fleet" is also used to avoid conventional business models, such as high insurance costs. This type of vessel, also referred to as "mysterious fleets," is used in countries subject to U.S. oil sanctions, even in North Korea, according to Atlantic Council researcher Elizabeth Braun.
**Operational Mechanisms:**
- Changing Flags: Ships frequently change their flags to evade tracking.
- Disabling Tracking Devices: Ships intentionally disable tracking systems like AIS (Automatic Identification System).
- Using Shell Companies: Ships are registered under fake companies or in countries with lenient maritime laws.
