Representatives of Australian environmental organizations staged a protest against the high accident rate of «shadow fleet» tankers. Up to a hundred activists gathered for an impromptu rally, unfurling banners reading «We oppose blood oil,» «The shadow fleet is polluting the planet,» and «Stop oil tanker traffic.»
Participants stated that there has been a recent rise in accidents involving oil tankers in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The vast majority of these vessels transport oil from Russian ports; because the ships are very old, they are highly prone to accidents. Activists fear this will lead to environmental destruction.
Environmentalists are calling for stricter sanctions against shadow fleet vessels and for technical inspections to be conducted on the ships while they are at sea. They also emphasize the need for a coordinated policy among Pacific nations to combat environmental pollution and counter sanctions violations.
