[RUSSIAN FOSSIL FUEL EXPORTS] European Parliament adopts Nordic left MEPs resolution against Russian ‘shadow fleet’

In the EU election campaign, we promised to do everything we can to support Ukraine. We have now adopted (!) a resolution to stop the Russian shadow fleet. The shadow fleet consists of poorly maintained, often uninsured ships with unclear ownership that export Russian oil and gas via the Baltic Sea, in violation of EU sanctions against Russia. The proceeds from these exports fund the war in Ukraine. The shadow fleet threatens both the environment and the people of Ukraine. With today’s resolution, which Hanna Gedin and Jonas Sjöstedt (picture attached) skilfully succeeded in pushing through in the European Parliament, hard pressure is now being put on both the European Commission and the Member States to take the decisions needed to stop the shadow fleet. This is a great victory for all of us who want to stop the war in Ukraine. Further information: Text of resolution adopted Briefing on Russian shadow fleet

Parliament calls for an EU crackdown on Russia’s ’shadow fleet’

• MEPs want the EU to target shadow tankers that export Russian oil in defiance of sanctions
• EU member states must step up monitoring and inspections
• The EU must ban all imports of Russian fossil fuels

MEPs demand more targeted EU sanctions against Russia’s so-called ‘shadow fleet’, which provides a key financial lifeline for Moscow’s war in Ukraine.

Russia uses old tankers, often uninsured and with unclear ownership, to export its crude oil and petroleum products abroad, despite EU, G7 and international sanctions. These activities have also raised fears over the risk of environmental disasters, including severe oil spills. As part of systematic efforts to undermine EU restrictive measures, the ‘shadow fleet’ provides a key financial lifeline for Russia in its illegal and unjustifiable war of aggression against Ukraine.

In a resolution adopted on Thursday, the European Parliament calls for more targeted measures against these vessels in the next EU sanctions packages, including all individual ships as well as their owners, operators, managers, accounts, banks and insurance companies. It also demands the systematic sanctioning of vessels sailing through EU waters without known insurance and urges the EU to enhance its surveillance capabilities, especially drone and satellite monitoring, and to conduct targeted inspections at sea. MEPs want EU member states to designate ports capable of handling sanctioned vessels carrying crude oil and Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) and to seize illegal cargo without compensation.

End EU imports of Russian fossil fuels

The resolution further calls on G7 countries to better enforce the price cap imposed on Russian seaborne oil, to substantially decrease the oil price cap and to crack down on the loopholes used by Russia to repackage and sell its oil and oil products at market prices. Stressing that the impact of existing sanctions and the financial and military support to Ukraine will continue to be undermined as long as the EU imports Russian fossil fuels, MEPs urge the EU and its member states to ban all imports of Russian fossil fuels, including LNG. Pointing towards the need for much stricter enforcement of current EU sanctions, the text also states that the EU should seriously reassess its bilateral cooperation with third countries that are helping Russia circumvent EU restrictive measures in place, if diplomatic efforts are unsuccessful.

For all the details, the full resolution will be available here (14.11.2024). It was approved by show of hands.