Parliament wants the EU to get over Russia’s “shadow fleet”.

Despite EU, G7 and other international sanctions, Russia uses old tankers to export crude oil and oil products to foreign countries. These vessels are often uninsured and their ownership is uncertain. These activities also pose the risk of major environmental disasters, including major oil spills. As part of a systematic effort to circumvent sanctions imposed on Russia, the “Shadow Fleet” is a vital source of finance for its illegal and unjustified war against Ukraine.

In the resolution adopted on Thursday, MPs are calling for more targeted measures against the “shadow fleet” in the next EU sanctions packages, such as identifying all shadow fleet ships, as well as the owners, operators, managers, accounts, banks and insurers. The Parliament is also calling for systematic sanctions on vessels sailing in EU waters without recognized insurance and urging the EU to develop surveillance capabilities, particularly drone and satellite surveillance, and targeted inspections to done at sea MEPs want EU member states to identify ports that are able to handle licensed vessels carrying crude oil and liquefied natural gas and to seize illegal goods without compensation.

Cessation of Russian fossil fuel imports into the EU

The resolution also calls on the G7 countries to more effectively apply the price ceiling on Russian oil delivered by sea, significantly reduce the oil price ceiling and loopholes that will Russia uses to repackage and sell its oil and oil products at market prices to close. . Stressing that the impact of current sanctions and financial and military aid to Ukraine will be mitigated as long as the EU imports Russian fossil fuels, the MPs urge the EU and its member states has banned imports of Russian fossil fuels, including liquefied natural gas. Pointing out the need to enforce current EU sanctions much more strongly, the resolution also states that the EU should carry out a major review of bilateral cooperation with third countries that help Russia to bypass existing EU restrictive measures if diplomatic efforts are unsuccessful.

The text of the resolution will be available here (14.11.2024).