UK Slaps Sanctions on 10 Russian 'Shadow Fleet' Ships

Britain has sanctioned 10 additional ships in Russia's 'shadow fleet,' accused of using illicit practices to skirt Western restrictions on Russian oil. The UK's actions aim to disrupt Russia's oil trade. These sanctions add to the already sanctioned 25 vessels, previously linked to UAE-based companies.

Britain has imposed sanctions on 10 more ships in Russia's so-called 'shadow fleet,' which allegedly employs illicit methods to evade Western restrictions on Russian oil.

Russia has dismissed Western efforts to curb its oil exports, leading to a surge in unregulated and uninsured tankers over the past year. 'Today's sanctions further undermine Russia's ability to trade in oil via its shadow fleet,' remarked British Foreign Minister David Lammy on Wednesday.

The UK foreign ministry stated that this action brings the total number of designated 'shadow fleet' vessels to 25. 'Previous UK actions against individual shadow ships have left vessels materially disrupted, idling outside ports and unable to continue their Russian oil trade,' the ministry added.

The 10 sanctioned tankers were previously managed by UAE's Oil Tankers SCF MGMT FZCO, linked to Russia's top shipping firm Sovcomflot. These vessels have since been transferred to another UAE company, Stream Ship Management FZCO, according to public database Equasis. Ships like the SCF Baltica and Olympiysky Prospect have been active via the North Sea Route to China, shipping oil from Russia.