Ministers believe UK can legally stop shadow fleet tankers
The UK government is considering using legal measures to stop vessels operated by the so-called "shadow fleet". According to BBC News, ministries believe they can use the Sanctions and Money Laundering Act 2018 to give the British military the authority to board these vessels. Russia, Iran and Venezuela own large numbers of tankers that trade without a national flag in an attempt to avoid international sanctions.
Recently, the British armed forces took part in the seizure of the tanker Mariner, which, according to US officials, was transporting oil from Venezuela and Russia, thus violating US sanctions. Although no UK military personnel have taken action at sea, the government is actively developing mechanisms to deal with such vessels.
The ministers emphasise that more than 500 vessels have already been sanctioned for their involvement in financing military operations, including the invasion of Ukraine. They believe that such moves have forced around 200 vessels to leave international waters, most of which may have been flying without a legal flag. The procedure of registering a vessel under a particular flag entitles it to protection in international waters.
Officials confirmed that the new legal mechanism could also apply to the tanker Mariner. The vessel has already been detained by the US Coast Guard near Iceland. A Ministry of Defence spokesperson confirmed that the operations were supported by Royal Air Force aircraft and Royal Navy ships.
Initially, the timing of the first military action by the UK remained unclear. Recent reports indicate that two US-sanctioned vessels were spotted travelling to Russia through the English Channel.
The Ministry of Transport reported that the number of ship inspections is growing, and more than 600 tankers have already been detained near the British Isles. This situation with vessels that do not have a legal flag can cause a serious crisis if they are involved in events related to environmental threats.
Minister Heidi Alexander said that although the data on the number of shadow fleet vessels in UK waters is sensitive, she refused to provide exact information, noting that it could only help Russian President Putin.
