European countries have called for increased security in the Baltic and North Seas. This initiative aims to ensure compliance with international maritime law and promote a more transparent and regulated environment for shipping activities. This step is specifically aimed at preventing "shadow fleet" activities carried out by Russia and strengthening maritime safety.
Redaksiya reports that 14 European countries have decided to close the Baltic Sea to Russian "shadow fleet" ships. This is stated in a joint letter from the states published on the UK government's website. The letter emphasizes that ships should sail under the flag of only one state. At the same time, for convenience, ships sailing under the flags of two or more countries can be considered stateless vessels. These measures are aimed at preventing illegal activities at sea and ensuring compliance with international law.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky previously spoke about the results of coordinated pressure against the activities of the Russian "shadow fleet." According to him, at least 20% of the fleet has been halted, and Russia is trying to compensate for this loss by involving new ships. Furthermore, restrictions imposed on Russian oil exports should reduce Russian revenues by at least $30 billion in the annual report. These measures, in addition to affecting the Russian economy, also demonstrate the effectiveness of international sanctions. Thus, tankers with suspicious registration status or lacking proper documentation will henceforth be equated with flagless vessels. As a result, countries will have grounds to seize them.
Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Iceland have joined this initiative. They have appealed to the International Maritime Organization with a corresponding statement. Additionally, ships must possess valid documents and certificates. These measures are aimed at increasing maritime safety and ensuring compliance with international law.