EU considers new sanctions against russian shadow fleet

This was reported by Bloomberg, citing sources.

According to the sources, EU foreign ministers will meet in Brussels on Thursday, 20 November. They are expected to discuss strengthening cooperation with countries that register ships in order to try to stop the activities of tankers that russia uses to circumvent EU sanctions.

‘Officials will discuss “what else we can do with the shadow fleet, because it really affects russia's revenues to finance this war,”’ said European Union diplomacy chief Kaja Kallas upon arriving at the meeting on 20 November.

In a document circulated before the meeting and seen by the agency, Poland proposed new rules and coordination, including on complex issues such as allowing authorities to board ships.

It also states that the EU has held extensive diplomatic consultations with so-called ‘flag states’ that register ships. The document says that the bloc has been ‘largely successful’ in persuading many of them to deregister ships.

Bloomberg writes that Warsaw has proposed involving port and coastal states, as well as organisations involved in ensuring the operation of tankers.

Sources said that any new measures under discussion would be included in the EU's 20th package of sanctions.

Source: NV, Bloomberg