Denmark takes initiative to limit shadow fleet transport of Russian oil in the Baltic Sea. Denmark has taken steps to initiate negotiations on a plan to stop the transport of sanctioned Russian oil through the Baltic Sea. This was announced by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lars Løkke Rasmussen to Information and Danwatch. The initiative is a response to the increasing use of so-called shadow fleets – old and worn tankers with unknown insurance and ownership that Russia uses to bypass sanctions. “From the Danish side, we have gathered a group of countries to look at the possibilities for further action against the shadow fleet. It is important that all new measures can be implemented in practice and are legally sound,” stated Lars Løkke Rasmussen.
The ships of the shadow fleet often sail through Danish waters and have previously caused concern due to their anonymity and lack of traceability to Russia. According to the Foreign Minister, it is crucial to take the challenges of the shadow fleet very seriously, and Denmark is therefore in confidential dialogue with other countries in the Baltic Sea region and the EU to find solutions. While the details of the new measures have not yet been made public, Løkke Rasmussen emphasizes the importance of staying within international laws and rules.
At the beginning of May, a spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Minister stated that any Danish measure restricting Russian ships’ access to the Baltic Sea will be considered hostile and will result in retaliation. However, Lars Løkke Rasmussen took this statement calmly and assured that Denmark will always act within the framework of international laws. Since the start of the year, at least 15 Russian tankers have rejected Danish navigation assistance through Danish waters, despite international practices recommending it. The Danish defense constantly monitors ship traffic in the area and closely follows the movements of Russian warships. These ships have the right to sail through Danish waters as long as they comply with the Law of the Sea Convention.