A number of European transport experts have protested against the new practices of the Russian shadow fleet. They emphasize their particular danger to the environment.
It became known that the administration of the Russian port of Murmansk has issued an order to allow the reception of gas carriers without an enhanced ice class. These are so-called single-hull tankers without an ice class. In such ships, the tanks with cargo are separated from the sea by only one skin. In the event of a hit, grounding or corrosion, the metal is easily destroyed, which leads to the immediate release of oil or fuel oil into the water.
The first gas carrier of this type has already arrived in Murmansk. Previously, ships of this class have already called at the Arctic port of Sabetta.
Experts emphasize the harmfulness of using such ships. They particularly emphasize the fact that ships of this type are prohibited from being used under international maritime law. The researchers support the strengthening of the fight against shadow fleet tankers, in particular through inspections of their technical condition on the high seas.
