Germany steps up measures against Russia’s shadow fleet
The German government has announced its intention to step up measures against Russia’s shadow fleet, the aggressor state, after publicly holding Moscow responsible on September 1 for a failed drone attack on Leipzig Airport. This was reported by Deutsche Welle English.
The shadow fleet primarily refers to oil tankers that are often old, poorly maintained, lack proper insurance, and have opaque ownership structures. According to DW, Russia uses such vessels in attempts to circumvent sanctions. Part of the fleet is also linked to hybrid activities, including sabotage, espionage, possible drone operations, and other related violations.
Legal and security constraints
Julian Pawlak, an expert at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, noted that detaining suspicious vessels is not easy, as international maritime law primarily protects the freedom of commercial shipping. Transporting goods on the high seas itself, he said, is not illegal.
Sara Nanni, the German Green Party’s spokesperson on security policy, said that Berlin has so far responded insufficiently to the problem. In her view, the shadow fleet helps Russia finance its war against Ukraine and aggressive behavior toward Europe.
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Experience of other countries
At the end of 2024, Finnish border guards detained the tanker Eagle S after it damaged the Estlink 2 power cable in the Gulf of Finland by dragging its anchor along the seabed. A court later dismissed charges of causing serious damage to property. At the same time, Sönke Marahrens, an expert at Kiel University, positively assessed Finland’s actions as a clear signal to the other side.
According to DW, the United Kingdom, France, and Sweden also apply a tougher approach to suspicious vessels. In territorial waters, the Swedish Coast Guard inspects tankers and cargo vessels that may belong to the shadow fleet. Vessels are detained if forged documents are found, proper insurance is absent, maritime safety is at risk, or environmental standards are violated.
Pawlak warned that inspections may be risky, as such vessels may be escorted by Russian warships and may have armed crews linked to Russian mercenary groups on board. Another expert, Johannes Peters, noted that inspections cannot completely stop the shadow fleet, but can increase costs and uncertainty for its operators.
