Spanish environmental organizations have published a report on new challenges for the country’s environment. Among the existing threats, the presence of the Russian «shadow fleet» off the country’s coast stands out. The Russian «shadow fleet» is «a threat to Spain and is forcing it to strengthen control measures over the maritime space adjacent to its coasts.»
According to experts, this mainly concerns tankers that transport oil and petroleum products. Such transportation always poses a certain danger, especially when it comes to old ships, which are usually chartered by Russians. It is no secret that the transfer of petroleum products from one tanker to another within the framework of purchase and sale agreements is carried out by the «shadow fleet» not in ports, but at sea. And also off the coast of Spain.
The situation is complicated by the fact that these vessels regularly sail with their navigation transponders completely turned off, deliberately conceal their nationality or go without a flag at all, while official Spain continues to let these old tankers pass without any obstacles, which in most cases do not even have international financial insurance.
Such voyages are extremely dangerous for these spaces, especially considering the fact that the ships are very old (15-20 years old) and often get into accidents. Accordingly, oil leaks from such ships lead to the destruction of fauna in these protected areas.
Environmentalists call for a strengthening of the fight against tankers of the shadow fleet, in particular, a strengthening of the sanctions regime, as well as an increase in the number of special military-police missions that could inspect ships on the high seas and, if necessary, detain them.
