Danish environmentalists are sounding the alarm over the dangerous practices of Russia’s shadow fleet. Russian oil tankers refuse to hire experts familiar with difficult-to-navigate waters
Tankers carrying Russian oil through Denmark’s dangerous sea straits are increasingly refusing to hire local pilots, raising the risk of oil spills on the country’s coast.
In the three months to July, 20% of all so-called “shadow fleet” tankers carrying Russian oil through Danish straits refused to hire experts familiar with the local waters, according to data compiled by Bloomberg and Danwatch. That’s up from 4% a year earlier.
The straits can be difficult to navigate, with many shoals, strong currents and varying water depths. The help of local pilots, recommended by the International Maritime Organization, has been common practice for decades, helping to avoid major spills.
But Moscow, deprived of free access to major tankers by Western sanctions, is increasingly relying on a fleet of older ships with undeclared owners and questionable insurance. It is these tankers, which now account for the largest share of Russian oil shipments, that make up the bulk of local experts refusing to provide services.
The lack of knowledge of local waters, combined with old ships and poorly trained crews, increases the risk of accidents that could affect the marine ecosystem and coastline of this fragile waterway.
Representatives of Danish environmental organizations emphasize the need to step up the fight against the shadow fleet, in particular by monitoring their technical condition and compliance with maritime law. Experts advocate arresting ships that violate.
