Russia’s Shadow Fleet Tankers Could Get Naval Escorts

NATO Unites Against Russia’s Secret Oil Ships

The tension between NATO and Russia is growing, especially in Northern Europe. Recently, six NATO countries—Denmark, the UK, Sweden, Finland, Poland, and Estonia—took strong action to deal with Russia’s “shadow fleet.” This fleet is made up of oil tankers that help Russia avoid Western sanctions on its oil exports. These ships often have hidden owners, poor maintenance, and are hard to track.

Denmark’s military intelligence has warned that Russia might send its navy to protect these tankers. This situation is creating serious concerns for NATO nations.

What is the Shadow Fleet?

In 2022, the G7 set a price cap on Russian oil to weaken its economy. To bypass this, Russia started using a “shadow fleet” of old tankers. These ships don’t follow strict rules, making them unsafe and dangerous for the environment.

Rafael Secures Contract with NATO Navy for Electronic Countermeasure

• Why are they risky?
  Many of these ships are old and don’t meet modern safety standards. Without proper maintenance, accidents like oil spills are more likely.
  Coastal nations like Denmark and other Baltic states worry about how these accidents would be handled. Most shadow fleet ships aren’t insured by trustworthy companies, meaning their owners might not pay for damage caused by spills.

NATO’s Plan

To address these risks, NATO countries have introduced new rules:

1. Proof of Insurance:
   Ships passing through critical sea routes must show valid insurance documents. If they fail, NATO nations will work with global partners to decide the next steps.
2. Improved Monitoring:
   Authorities will focus on tracking and inspecting these ships to ensure they follow maritime laws.

This united action shows that NATO is taking the shadow fleet seriously and working to prevent environmental and safety disasters.

Tensions in the Baltic Sea

Denmark’s Defense Intelligence Service believes that Russia may send its navy to escort these tankers in the Baltic Sea. This could increase the chances of conflicts between Russian and NATO ships.

• Possible Risks:
  1. Minor collisions or misunderstandings between military ships.
  2. Russia using GPS jamming or electronic warfare to disrupt NATO operations.

These actions have already been noticed in the region, raising the risk of larger confrontations.

Concerns in the Arctic

The Arctic, a key region for trade and military strategy, is another area of concern. Denmark’s intelligence warns that Russia may act aggressively there too, increasing the chances of clashes with NATO forces.