Despite EU sanctions banning seaborne transportation of Russian crude oil since March 2023, tankers continue to arrive at EU ports.
UNITED24 Media reported this, citing Greenpeace, the CFTS portal reports.
According to Greenpeace, about 15 tankers have transported crude oil from Russian ports, including Primorsk, Ust-Luga, and Novorossiysk, to EU ports since July 2024.
These ships left Russia fully loaded and arrived at their destinations partially or completely empty, indicating that oil had been offloaded.
These shipments violate existing EU sanctions that prohibit the import of Russian crude oil by sea. The investigation suggests that the vessels involved in these activities belong to Greek shipping companies, some of which are linked to the so-called "shadow fleet," a group of ships suspected of helping Russia evade sanctions.
Greenpeace also expressed concern about the condition of these ships, noting that many of them are outdated and may pose a potential environmental hazard.
In addition, Greenpeace noted that since the EU's ban on Russian oil imports, Russia has increasingly relied on alternative shipping methods, including the use of ships owned by other shipping companies. The report notes that the use of such ships has increased by 70% since 2021, while the average age of these tankers is rising, which increases operational risks.
