EU Seeks Expanded Rights to Board Russia’s Shadow Fleet in Sanctions Crackdown

The European Union is preparing a major policy shift to tackle Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” of oil tankers used to circumvent sanctions, according to Politico Europe and confirmed by Reuters. The bloc’s diplomatic arm, the European External Action Service (EEAS), is advocating for a maritime declaration that would enable EU member states, working alongside flag states, to board and inspect vessels suspected of facilitating illicit trade.

Estimates cited in the EEAS document place the size of the shadow fleet anywhere between 600 and 1,400 vessels, with more than 400 ships already under EU sanctions and a projection to reach about 560 by the next sanctions package.

What the Declaration Would Enable

The draft proposal outlines several key measures:

• Establishing bilateral agreements between the EU and flag states that allow pre-authorised boardings and inspections of suspicious vessels.
• Strengthening regulatory oversight by targeting fake flag registrations, opaque ownership structures, and logistical services that enable sanction evasion.
• Expanding sanction measures to cover fuel-bunkering services, vessel registration firms, and other entities supporting the fleet’s operations.

The intended aim is to complement existing sanctions by giving EU coast guards and maritime authorities stronger tools to intercept and disrupt sanctioned tanker flows, particularly those tied to circumventing the Ukrainian price-cap regime.

Broader Enforcement Context

The move is part of a wider push by Western states to choke off Moscow’s revenue from oil and gas exports. On October 15 2025, the British Government imposed sanctions on Russia’s largest oil firms, Lukoil and Rosneft, as well as 44 tankers linked to the shadow fleet. Meanwhile, French authorities recently detained a tanker operating under false flags believed to be part of the network.

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