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Australia and New Zealand have joined in calls to ban Russia and North Korea’s ‘shadow fleet’ of illegal oil tankers.
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong says they are “deeply concerned” about the rise in ‘shadow fleet activity’.
She says the fleet is a threat to the environment, maritime safety, international trade and security, and maritime law.
“Collective action is needed to address this risk,” she says.
“The ‘shadow fleet’ presents significant threats to all countries as vessels involved in illegal activities to bypass sanctions, ignore safety or environmental rules, avoid insurance costs, or engage in other unlawful actions including circumventing UNSC (UN Security Council) and autonomous sanctions.”
Wong says both countries endorse a UK-led call for action against the shadow fleet to ensure compliance with international law.
“We look forward to collaborating with other countries committed to the Call to Action and to reinforce the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) Resolution aimed at preventing illegal operations in the maritime sector by the ‘shadow fleet’,” he says.
UK SANCTIONS
The UK recently sanctioned 30 ships in Russia’s shadow fleet in a bid to limit the Kremlin’s ability to fund their war effort in Ukraine.
The UK Foreign Office says the total number of ships that it sanctioned is 73 compared to 39 by the US and 19 by the European Union.
It says 46 countries and the EU have signed up to its call for action against the shadow fleet, announced by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in July.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy says Russian oil revenues are fuelling the war in Ukraine.
“I will work with our G7 partners and beyond to exert relentless pressure on the Kremlin, disrupt the flow of money into its war chest, erode its military machine, and constrain its malign behaviour worldwide,” he says.
He believes the sanctions are working with Russia turning to states like North Korea and Iran for supplied and even troops.
“The shadow fleet also poses significant risks to global trade,” Lammy says.
“Many of the ships engage in deceptive shipping practices and are a danger to the environment.
“Many tankers flagrantly ignore basic safety standards, increasing the chance of catastrophic oil spills,” Lammy says.
UK sanctioned ships are banned from entering ports, may be moved on or detained, and will not be allowed to register or be deregistered. A price cap has also been placed on Russian oil exports.
