EU Aims to Close Baltic and North Seas to Russian Tankers

The European Union is set to intensify sanctions against Russia by targeting 17 vessels linked to the notorious “shadow fleet,” which has been utilized to evade oil sanctions. According to EUobserver, 25 of these ships are currently operating in the Baltic and North Seas, positioning them as primary targets for Brussels in the upcoming 149th sanctions package. Scheduled for discussion on May 14, 2025, the new measures aim to diminish Moscow’s revenue from energy exports and enhance oversight of maritime shipping. Final approval is anticipated at the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting on May 20, marking a significant escalation in the economic confrontation with Russia.

The “shadow fleet” comprises vessels that transport Russian oil while circumventing the G7-imposed price cap of $60 per barrel. Many of these ships are registered in third-party nations such as Gabon and Panama, enabling Russia to sustain its exports despite the EU embargo. According to reports, approximately 70% of Russian oil was transported via these methods, yielding Moscow an estimated $180 billion in revenue. The forthcoming sanctions package will prohibit these vessels from entering European ports and impose restrictions on the provision of insurance and services, significantly complicating their operational capabilities.

Attention is particularly focused on the Baltic and North Seas, where Russian oil is transported from key ports like Primorsk and Ust-Luga. In December 2024, regional countries, including Finland, Estonia, and Sweden, agreed to collaboratively verify the insurance certificates of tankers suspected of carrying sanctioned oil. Bloomberg reports that Estonia is already seeking information from vessels in the Gulf of Finland but is only receiving compliance from about 40% of them, underscoring the challenges associated with enforcing these controls.