The UK government announced its biggest sanctions package against Moscow’s Shadow Fleet of Oil Tankers on 17 October. It targets 18 Russian oil tanks and 4 LNG vessels. The move announced on 17th October aims to disrupt Russian revenue and combat environmental risks presented by these ships. Russia‘s shadow fleet evades EU and US sanctions by covertly delivering oil and goods. This allows them to fund their war in Ukraine. The UK’s new package of sanctions comes at the same time as the United States, Canada and the EU have joined the shadow-fleet ‘Call to Action” launched by UK Prime minister Keir starmer in July. The total number of signatories now stands at 47, including 44 European nations and the EU. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated, “We must combat malign Russian activities at every turn, regardless of whether they use illicit tactics to bolster Putin‘s war chest, or their use of barbarism on front lines in Ukraine. According to the UK Foreign Office the targeted oil tanks have transported $4.9 billion over the past year. The UK has also targeted Rusgazdobycha, a Russian gas company. This is part of an effort to pressure Russia’s gas industry. Gazprom is reported to have posted a significant loss of $6.9billion in 2023, its first annual loss for more than 20years. The UK government is taking steps to combat Russian backed maritime activity near their shores. The Department for Transport, in conjunction with the Joint Maritime Security Centre and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, is working to stop shadow fleet vessels that are suspected of having dubious insurance and passing through the English Channel.
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