In a statement, issued after the meeting of representatives of government and foreign ministers, including Great Britain, Germany, France, Sweden, Denmark, the Baltic countries and Poland, coordinated steps were announced to prevent Russia from celebrating international sanctions.
The so -called “shadow fleet” is a group of exploited, often illegally operating units that are used to transport Russian oil and gas, bypassing the restrictions imposed by the West. These ships pose a threat not only for energy security, but also for the natural environment and infrastructure – used, among others for sabotage, e.g. destroying submotial telecommunications and energy cables.
Shadow fleet. Europe is trying to oppose
Participants of the meeting expressed a deep concern about the activity of nonsense or floating under false flags, which are not protected by the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos). It has been declared that in relation to such ships in the waters of the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, international law would be undertaken.
A group of countries also plans to create Common guidelines aimed at promoting responsible proceedings at sea, strengthening compliance with regulations and increase transparency in the scope of maritime operations.
Currently, the European Union has sanctions of almost 350 units belonging to the Russian “shadow fleet”, preventing them from, among others Winding to ports in Member States.
