UK Sanctions 11 Ships to Restrict Russia's 'Shadow Fleet'
The U.K. on July 18 sanctioned various oil tankers that transport Russian oil, in an effort to "crack down on Russia's 'shadow fleet,'" the U.K. Prime Minister's Office announced. Eleven Russian ships were sanctioned, including the Rocky Runner, which previously attempted to evade British restrictions by "changing its operator."
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Any sanctioned ship will be barred from entering U.K. ports, "can be detained, and will be refused permission to register on the UK Ship Register or have its existing registration terminated," the PM's office said. The oil price cap exception also will be made inapplicable for services rendered to the 11 ships or to the "supply or delivery of Russian oil or oil products in specified ships."
Russia's "shadow fleet" is a group of vessels taking part in "dangerous and deceptive shipping practices," including disabling location tracking systems, the PM's office said. The fleet has caused "dozens of incidents," such as "onboard fires, engine failures, oil spills and collisions."