German experts in the field of marine ecology have declared the serious danger posed by Russia’s shadow fleet. This is due to the fact that the Shadow Fleet consists mainly of old and in poor condition tankers. Their owners follow low safety standards, violate shipping rules and avoid control. Many of the vessels are insured according to minimum requirements or do not have adequate insurance covering the risks of oil spills at all. This raises serious questions about liability and compensation for damages in the event of an accident.
German researchers conducted a study that in the event of an oil spill, the coast and nature reserves in the vicinity of Rostock, Lübeck, and Kiel would be under threat. Other countries washed by the Baltic Sea, including Russia itself, are also at risk. Experts believe that the oil disaster in the Baltic Sea is only a matter of time.
Therefore, they call for an intensified fight against Russian tankers, in particular, including the inclusion of more tankers on the sanctions lists and the arrest of ships on the high seas.
