The EU is currently preparing the 15th sanctions package for Russia.
According to the information obtained by Kauppalehti from EU sources, the new sanctions against Russia are intended to include the Russian shadow navy, which enables the financing of the Russian war machine, to a greater extent than before.
With the help of a shadow fleet, Russia circumvents the oil price ceiling imposed on it by the G7 countries and the sanctions imposed by the EU and other Western countries.
According to estimates, there are 450–600 ships in the Russian shadow fleet. They are tankers intended for Russian oil transport.
The ownership relationships of the shadow fleet ships are blurred, and they participate in the transportation of oil subject to Russian sanctions.
The EU’s current restrictions cover almost 90 percent of the oil imported from Russia to Europe.
According to a report by the Kiev School of Economics, the Russian Shadow Navy has increased the transportation of oil and oil products subject to sanctions by 70 percent.
Shadow fleet ships also transport defense and security technology to Russia.
Ships in poor condition pose a significant environmental risk, especially in the Baltic Sea, which freezes in winter.
New sanctions
There are currently 27 shadow fleet vessels on the EU sanctions list, 11 of which are directly related to the export and import of Russian crude oil and oil products.
The EU is currently negotiating the extension of shadow shipping sanctions. The ambassadors of the EU countries discussed the issue on Wednesday in Brussels.
According to information obtained by Kauppalehti, the number of ships covered by the sanctions is to be increased to approximately 75.
For example, there are currently 43 vessels participating in the activities of the Russian shadow fleet on the British sanctions list.
The sanctions imposed by the EU on the Russian shadow fleet mean in practice that the ships are prohibited from entering EU ports and other services.
A difficult passage.
The Baltic Sea, which freezes over in winter, is a difficult passage. Illustration picture.
PHOTO: Levi Vepsä
Decision in December
The number of ships that will be subject to the new Russian sanctions may still increase from the 75 planned now, as this is the first presentation.
Some EU member states want to have more ships covered by the sanctions. On the other hand, some member countries have expressed their concern that the EU’s energy supply should not be jeopardized and the passage of LNG ships should not be prevented.
The decision to extend the shadow fleet sanctions and other sanctions against Russia is supposed to be made during December.
15. More sanctions are coming to Russia’s sanctions package, not only for ships, but also for companies and individuals that enable Russia’s military actions in Ukraine.
The means of enforcement are the freezing of funds in the EU area and the travel ban imposed on individuals.
In addition, companies with which EU operators should not do business are added to the export ban list. Currently, there are approximately 700 operators on the list, most of which are Russian companies.