Navy Explains Why The Term“Shadow Fleet” Is Conditional In The Context Of Russian Tankers

(MENAFN- UkrinForm) Dmytro Pletenchuk, spokesman for the Ukrainian Navy, said this in a televised interview, Ukrinform reports.

According to him, in professional circles, agenuine“gray” or“shadow” fleet refers to vessels operating in Russian waters, flying the Russian flag, being in poor technical condition, lacking insurance, and operating exclusively between domestic ports without entering international waters.

“That is a real gray fleet. But the vessels [transporting Russian resources abroad - ed.] are, in most cases, owned by entirely legitimate European owners. That is why it is quite difficult to call it a shadow fleet. It is practically visible to everyone and often passes through chokepoints via territorial waters,” the spokesman said.

Pletenchuk also noted that Russia is currently prioritizing the development of northern sea routes, as using them is safer for Russia from the standpoint of sanctions. According to him, ice-class vessels are particularly important to Russia in the context of developing the Arctic.

Read also: EU seeks to restrict visa regime for Russians and expand sanctions against Russian tankers - Bloomberg

As Ukrinform reported, on August 29, the Republic of Albania barred the oil tanker HANUMAN (IMO 9295048) from entering the port of Durrës after Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate had identified the vessel as belonging to Russia's shadow fleet.

Image: AI-generated

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