Denmark wants to block Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ in the Baltic Sea
17 June 2024 13:15
Denmark is considering possible ways to restrict tankers of the so-called “shadow fleet” that transport Russian oil through the Baltic Sea. This was announced on Monday by Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, reports "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to Reuters.
Russia sends about a third of its maritime oil exports, or 1.5% of the world’s supply, through the Danish straits, which are the gateway to the Baltic Sea. Any attempts to stop these shipments could therefore lead to higher oil prices and hit the Kremlin’s finances.
After Western countries imposed price caps on Russian oil in an attempt to cut vital funds for its war in Ukraine, Russia began to rely on a fleet of old tankers registered and insured outside the West.
Denmark has assembled a group of allied countries to assess measures against this “shadow fleet,” Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said in an email. He did not specify what measures are being considered.
“There is a broad consensus that the ‘shadow fleet’ is an international problem and that international solutions are needed to address it,” he said,
– rasmussen said.
The minister added that it is important that any new measures are enforceable and legally sound under international law.
Other Baltic Sea countries and members of the European Union are involved in the negotiations, the minister said.
Denmark is concerned that old tankers transporting oil through its straits pose a potential threat to the environment.
Despite oil sanctions against Russia by Western countries, Russian oil revenues continue to grow.
