The European Parliament has issued a strong call for action against Russia’s so-called “phantom fleet,” urging the EU to strengthen enforcement of sanctions on Russian oil exports. In a resolution passed on Thursday, MEPs called for tighter inspections, penalties, and a complete ban on all Russian fossil fuel imports, including LNG, to prevent Russia from circumventing sanctions and to improve maritime safety.
The fleet consists of older, uninsured ships, some over 20 years old, acquired by Russia to bypass the price cap on Russian oil established by the EU and G7 in 2022. Many of these vessels, often registered under foreign flags like those of Gabon, the Cook Islands, Panama, and Liberia, sail primarily to India, China, and Turkey, where the oil is refined and re-exported as by-products to Europe, effectively avoiding sanctions.
To stop this practice, MEPs have proposed enhanced monitoring using drones and satellite technology, sanctions for uninsured ships operating in European waters, and a ban on ship-to-ship transfers often used to disguise oil origins. Some of these vessels disable their tracking systems to avoid detection, increasing the risk of collisions and environmental hazards.
According to MEP Rasa Jukneviciene (EPP), around 600 vessels in this fleet are concentrated in the Baltic and Black Seas, with other reports suggesting as many as 1,400 are in operation. MEP Martins Stakis (Greens) emphasized the need for immediate funding for response capabilities, warning that any delay in addressing potential oil spills could lead to costly environmental damage.
This latest resolution reflects the EU’s ongoing efforts to close gaps in sanctions enforcement, limit Russia’s financial resources, and mitigate the risks posed by Russia’s unregulated maritime activities amid the Ukraine conflict.