The United Kingdom has implemented its most extensive sanctions to date against Russia’s shadow fleet, targeting an additional 18 oil tankers and four liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers in a bid to reduce critical revenue streams for President Vladimir Putin.
In June, the previous UK government initiated sanctions aimed explicitly at vessels associated with the shadow fleet, which Russia utilizes to bypass UK and G7 sanctions. These sanctions marked the first direct action taken against this clandestine fleet.
With the new round of sanctions, the UK has now barred a total of 43 oil tankers from entering UK ports or accessing British maritime services. This includes the newly designated 18 oil tankers, which significantly expands the UK’s efforts to disrupt Russia’s energy operations. Additionally, four more LNG tankers and the Russian gas company Rusgazdobycha JSC have been sanctioned, intensifying pressure on Russia’s natural gas industry.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated, “The UK is leading the charge against Putin’s desperate and dangerous attempts to cling on to his energy revenues, with his shadow fleet placing coastlines across Europe and the world in jeopardy.”
Despite these measures, Russia continues to adapt and evade Western sanctions. Reports indicate that around one-third of the oil tankers blacklisted for carrying Russian oil have returned to service, undermining the sanctions’ effectiveness. As of October 10, a combined total of 72 tankers have been explicitly designated by the U.S., the EU, and the UK for transporting Russian oil in violation of sanctions or the price cap. Alarmingly, at least 21 of these vessels have loaded Russian oil cargoes since being blacklisted, according to tanker-tracking data from Bloomberg.
The effectiveness of the UK’s sanctions is called into question, as data shows that two-thirds of the tankers sanctioned by Britain have resumed shipping Russian oil. This highlights the ongoing challenge of enforcing sanctions amid Russia’s continued efforts to navigate around these restrictions.
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