Shadow fleets are vessels used primarily by countries under heavy sanctions, such as Venezuela, Russia, and Iran, to transport oil illegally. The U. S. has recently intensified efforts to combat these shadow fleets, seizing several vessels carrying Venezuelan oil.
1. Definition of Shadow Fleets:
• Shadow fleets, also known as dark or ghost fleets, refer to oil tankers that operate outside international regulations to evade sanctions and restrictions. They often modify their identities to avoid detection.
2. Methods of Evasion:
• These vessels use tactics like obscuring their registrations and falsifying coordinates. They often switch flags to countries with less oversight and may turn off their tracking systems to conceal their movements.
3. Increase in Shadow Fleet Numbers:
• According to estimates from S&P Global, the shadow fleet comprises around 940 unique ships, accounting for 17% of the world's oil tankers. This figure reflects a 45% increase from the previous year due to stricter sanctions.
4. Impact of Seizures:
• The U. S. has captured multiple shadow vessels, including those carrying millions of barrels of oil. While some seized vessels were empty, others contained significant amounts of oil intended for illegal export.
5. Consequences for Global Oil Supply:
• A crackdown on shadow fleets could disrupt global oil supplies and potentially lead to higher prices. However, enforcement actions have historically lagged, allowing oil flows to continue at lower prices.
6. International Response:
• Various countries are acting against shadow fleets. The U. K. has sanctioned numerous vessels linked to Russia, while Ukraine is targeting these ships to diminish Russia’s wartime funding.
7. Canada’s Actions:
• Canada is sanctioning vessels associated with the Russian shadow fleet and has created a task force to monitor and constrain illegal activities by these fleets, although the risk to Canada from these vessels is deemed low.
8. Current Statistics:
• Latest reports indicate that 72% of Russian oil exports are now carried on shadow tankers. This results in a significant percentage of the global oil tanker capacity being utilized by these fleets.
Shadow fleets represent a significant challenge to international maritime regulations and oil markets. Their operations allow heavily sanctioned nations to continue transporting oil, impacting global supply and prices. Countries are increasing their enforcement efforts, but as historical trends suggest, overcoming the shadow fleet's challenges requires international cooperation and consistent regulatory actions.
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