NextFin news, On Sunday, September 21, 2025, data from S&P Global Market Intelligence revealed that Russian oil tankers account for about 17% of the global active tanker fleet. This so-called 'shadow fleet' consists largely of aging vessels that operate under various flags and often evade international sanctions imposed by Western countries.
The New York Times reported that the shadow fleet has grown by 45% since early 2024, now including nearly 1,000 vessels with a total deadweight exceeding 100 million tons. These tankers are primarily used to export Russian oil and petroleum products to countries such as China, India, and other Global South nations.
Despite the European Union and countries like Australia imposing sanctions and blacklisting over 500 vessels from this fleet, Russia continues to acquire new tankers to replace those removed from operation. The EU's 19th package of anti-Russian sanctions, unveiled on September 19, 2025, targets additional vessels in the shadow fleet, while Australia recently lowered the price cap on Russian oil and sanctioned 95 more tankers.
According to Saad Rahim, chief economist at trading house Trafigura, these vessels have become a critical tool for Moscow to sustain oil revenues that fund its military activities. Rahim noted that although the fleet's growth has slowed in 2025, it continues to expand as new ships replace sanctioned ones.
Most of the shadow fleet's traffic, about 70%, passes through the Baltic Sea, a region now closely monitored by NATO and European coastguards due to environmental and security concerns. The Swedish coastguard has reported hundreds of shadow fleet vessels operating in the Baltic, many of which are uninsured and pose risks of oil spills and other maritime incidents.
EU Sanctions Envoy David O'Sullivan described the sanctions circumvention efforts as a 'Whac-A-Mole' problem, highlighting the challenges in curbing the fleet's operations. Meanwhile, the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine confirms the fleet's size and its role in sustaining Russia's oil exports despite international restrictions.
Overall, the shadow fleet's presence underscores ongoing geopolitical tensions and the complexities of enforcing sanctions in global maritime trade.
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