The European Parliament has issued a resolution calling on the EU and its Member States to clamp down on Russia’s “phantom fleet” — a group of old, unregistered vessels used by Moscow to circumvent sanctions. The resolution demands enhanced surveillance, stringent penalties, and a complete ban on Russian fossil fuel imports, including liquefied natural gas (LNG), to prevent Russia from evading Western sanctions and address potential safety risks.
In 2022, the EU and G7 imposed a $60 (€57) per barrel cap on Russian oil to restrict Moscow’s financial resources for its war efforts in Ukraine. Russia countered by investing an estimated €9 billion in a fleet of outdated, uninsured ships that operate under various foreign flags, such as those of Gabon, Panama, and Liberia. This fleet, comprising approximately 1,400 vessels, transports Russian oil mainly to India, China, and Turkey, where it is refined and sometimes re-exported to Europe as different oil products, effectively bypassing EU sanctions.
To tackle these evasion tactics, the resolution recommends increased inspections using drones and satellites, sanctions on uninsured ships in European waters, and a prohibition on ship-to-ship oil transfers, which are commonly conducted on the high seas to obscure the origin of Russian oil. Some ships also deactivate their tracking systems, a practice that raises maritime safety concerns by increasing collision risks and the chance of oil spills that could affect European coastlines.
The Parliament’s resolution also warns that the “phantom fleet” could be exploited in hybrid operations, posing a potential security threat to Europe. MEP Martins Stakis of the Greens highlighted the need for a rapid response mechanism for any oil spills resulting from these operations, warning that delays could lead to significant economic and environmental damage.
This push marks the latest step in the EU’s ongoing effort to reinforce sanctions against Russia and close loopholes that allow it to sustain its energy exports despite Western restrictions.