European efforts to detain stateless shadow fleet tankers are prompting sanctioned vessels to scramble for new registrations before entering EU waters, shifting activity into obscure flag states and triggering a diplomatic backlash from Russia

The US has revoked the 60-day sanctions waiver on sales of Iranian oil after the Islamic Republic launched a wave of attacks on ships

Europe’s catch-and-release strategy for stateless shadow fleet ships now comes with a benchmark price tag of €1m — not enough to derail the practice, but apparently sufficient to divert some voyages and enough to attract cries of ‘illegal piracy’ from Moscow

The removal of the US naval blockade and a waiver on sanctions will allow continued flows of Iranian barrels. But a lack of demand from its key customer, China, could prove to be a challenge in restoring pre-crisis levels

Sanctioned North Korean ships are making more port calls and suspected ship-to-ship transfers as UN monitoring fades, exposing a more entrenched sanctions evasion network

Reduced refinery runs has left crude oil barrels up for grabs in export markets as the Kremlin mulls fuel imports and a possible diesel export ban

Tankers appear to be racing to exploit a 60-day window to move Middle East Gulf crude before the Hormuz reopening expires

Stronger international co-operation, clearer regulations and greater financial support will be essential to help the maritime sector manage geopolitical and economic challenges while continuing its transition toward net zero

Ofac has published the General License X, authorising a broad array of transactions related to shipments of Iranian oil, petroleum products and petrochemical products for a two-month period

Moscow has unveiled a draft decree to speed up ship registration and allow foreign‑owned tankers to reflag to Russia, signalling a shift toward direct control of the shadow fleet as Western sanctions and vessel seizures intensify