BRUSSELS — The European Parliament is preparing to pass a resolution calling for more “targeted” measures against Russia’s shadow fleet as evidence mounts that Moscow is dodging sanctions and risking an environmental disaster, according to a draft proposal seen by POLITICO.
The measure, which has broad support from political groups in the Parliament, presses for a “systematic sanctioning” of vessels carrying Russian oil, and urges the EU to beef up satellite monitoring and “targeted inspections” of tankers. It also proposes the adoption of fresh requirements for vessels to demonstrate proof of insurance in EU waters.
The nonbinding resolution is a response to ongoing revelations that Western sanctions against Moscow’s oil exports have largely failed. Russia increasingly leans on a fleet of over 600 aging tankers, with unknown insurance and obscure ownership, to ship its crude worldwide. The fossil fuel trade makes up almost half of the Kremlin’s revenues.
The effort also follows growing fears that the creaky tankers could cause an environmental disaster near the EU, after POLITICO revealed last month that the shadow fleet has been linked to multiple oil spills in the world’s oceans — including two in European waters.
