Recent data from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) reveals that the number of ‘shadow’ tankers has surged, with 294 such vessels having transported Russian seaborne oil.
According to CREA, from January to August 2024, there has been a 277% increase in ‘shadow’ tanker activity in the Danish Straits compared to the same period in 2022. These tankers accounted for 64% of the 46 million tonnes of Russian oil transported through the straits. The Suez Canal experienced a staggering 649% increase in ‘shadow’ tanker traffic, with 69% of the 52 million tonnes of Russian crude passing through being carried by these vessels.
Such increases pose serious risks, particularly given the average clean-up costs—estimated at USD 8,595 per tonne in Europe and USD 16,006 per tonne in Southeast Asia. Consequently, a spill involving a typical ‘shadow’ tanker could incur clean-up costs ranging from USD 859 million in Europe to USD 1.6 billion in Southeast Asia.
CREA proposes the following policy recommendations be implemented urgently:
- All oil tankers entering territorial waters and exclusive economic zones (EEZs) must be required to provide proof of adequate protection and indemnity (P&I) insurance.
- Minimum environmental standards for oil tankers operating in territorial waters and EEZs must be implemented to mitigate ecological risks and promote higher operational safety.
- Tankers navigating international straits should be required to demonstrate proof of P&I insurance and adherence to minimum safety standards.
The operations of these ageing ‘shadow’ tankers have already led to 50 incidents across various maritime regions since the invasion began. While these vessels are often viewed as a European issue, their impact is global, with Russian crude oil being transported from Europe to Asian markets through perilous chokepoints under dubious conditions.
Should an oil spill occur, it is coastal nations that will ultimately bear the economic burden, raising critical questions about accountability and the potential for significant ecological harm, CREA highlights.
Petras Katinas, an Energy Analyst at CREA, emphasized the urgency of addressing these maritime and ecological risks, noting that the use of ‘shadow’ vessels to bypass sanctions has escalated dramatically, creating a pressing need for swift action.
