Russia absorbs shadow fleet tankers at record pace as EU seizures reshape sanctions battle
- Russia has absorbed 86 shadow fleet ships since July, mostly from Cameroon, Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea
- Move follows new Kremlin efforts to fast-track registrations as EU seizures and inspections target falsely flagged tankers
- Russian reflagging reduces Europe’s ability to use false flag enforcement tactics, but leaves Moscow responsible for an ageing fleet with an average age of 19 years
Russia has reflagged 86 shadow fleet vessels since July as European enforcement squeezes fraudulent registries, signalling a strategic shift towards bringing sanctions-resistant oil shipping under direct state control despite concerns about fleet quality and liability
