THE vast majority of shadow fleet* tankers passing through the Baltic Sea and the English Channel are producing evidence of insurance when challenged by European coastal states, but it remains unclear how many certificates are valid.

Baltic coastal states and the UK have been routinely challenging so-called shadow fleet tankers passing their coastlines to produce evidence of insurance since last year. According to data collated by Lloyd’s List, well over 90% of those challenges are complied with.

Since June 19, 2024, Estonian authorities have requested insurance documents a total of 1,033 times, receiving a response 957 times.

Finland has only been requesting tankers carrying Russian oil to produce evidence of insurance certification since December 11, 2024, but the response rate matches Estonia’s.

The Finnish authorities have challenged 1,200 vessels, with a response rate of 95%.

The UK Department for Transport earlier this week confirmed it had challenged 343 suspected shadow fleet vessels in the English Channel, equating to around 40 vessel challenges a month.

While no response rate was given, DfT officials confirmed that “a large majority of ships questioned about their insurance provide the relevant details”.

None of the government agencies approached by Lloyd’s List would reveal how many of the insurance certificates received in response to their challenges were deemed to be credible, nor how they were authenticating the certificates.

“Any vessel that facilitates and supports Russia’s malign activities could be exposing themselves to sanctions,” explained the DfT in a statement issued to Lloyd’s List.

The DfT cited the example of the now Gambia-flagged tanker Ailama (IMO: 9232888) (previously named Ksena), which ignored the UK’s challenge to produce documentation on November 12 last year. It was sanctioned by the UK later that month, forcing the vessel to switch flags.

Sanctions, however, have not prevented Ailama from continuing to load Russia crude and sail repeatedly through the Baltic and the English Channel this year. 

Ailama loaded in the Russian port of Primorsk on Friday and was heading through the Baltic, via the English Channel, heading towards the Indian port of Cochin.   

Most Baltic states are now challenging shadow fleet vessels, with Germany the most recent government to announce on July 2 that it had started contacting passing tankers to ask for insurance details.

However, this remains a largely intelligence-gathering operation for the moment.

The responses received by the governments are all assessed for legitimacy. All cases, including non-response or illegitimate responses, provide valuable information that may influence future action, such as sanctions designations. 

UK government officials told Lloyd’s List they could not disclose details of the checks or discuss how they assessed the legitimacy of insurance, “due to circumvention risks”.

All other Baltic coast state agencies similarly declined to comment.

“The UK recognises the importance of vessels complying with international maritime law and is working with international partners to address the issue of false flagging,” explained the official.

The UK Government has stated it is constantly reviewing and updating its response to the challenges posed by the shadow fleet.

* Lloyd’s List defines a tanker as being part of the Shadow Fleet if it engages in one or more deceptive shipping practices indicating that it is involved in the facilitation of sanctioned oil cargoes from Iran, Russia or Venezuela. Or it is sanctioned for participation in sanctioned oil trades or is sanctioned for links to a company that is sanctioned for facilitating the export of sanctioned oil.