New Zealand hits Russia’s “shadow fleet”: which companies are under sanctions
30 October 2025 20:46
New Zealand has expanded sanctions against 65 more vessels of the Russian “shadow fleet“, as well as against a number of companies and individuals from Belarus, Iran and North Korea who help Moscow circumvent international restrictions.
This was announced by the country’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports citing Reuters.
What is this “shadow fleet”?
This is the name given to a network of Russian tankers that transport sanctioned oil by disguising the routes and origin of cargo, usually by changing names, flags, or disabling tracking systems.
The participation of such vessels allows the Kremlin to continue exporting energy despite the embargoes and price caps imposed by the G7 countries.
New Zealand’s decision is another step in the global campaign against oil sanctions circumvention schemes.
According to the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the sanctions are aimed at companies involved in the refining, transportation or financial support of Russian oil sales.
Reuters adds that this statement came amid the exposure of the insurance company Maritime Mutual, registered in New Zealand, which allegedly insured tens of billions of dollars worth of deals with Iranian and Russian oil.
New Zealand’s previous steps
New Zealand has been consistently increasing pressure on Moscow since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
- In June 2025, the country announced a new aid package for Ukraine – more than $9.4 million.
- In September, Wellington lowered the price ceiling for Russian crude oil from $60 to $47.6 per barrel and imposed sanctions on 19 more companies and individuals involved in chemical weapons and disinformation.
- At the same time, 19 vessels of Russia’s “shadow fleet ” were subject to restrictions, and the current package only expands this list.
Experts predict that the sanctions pressure on Russian oil logistics will increase, as shadow tankers remain one of the main channels of foreign exchange to the Russian budget.
New Zealand, despite its geographical remoteness, seeks to show solidarity with the G7 allies and support Ukraine economically and politically.
