{"id":66627,"date":"2024-04-26T11:45:23","date_gmt":"2024-04-26T09:45:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/international\/?p=66627"},"modified":"2024-06-13T12:32:06","modified_gmt":"2024-06-13T10:32:06","slug":"taking-on-the-russian-oil-shadow-fleet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/international\/story\/66627\/taking-on-the-russian-oil-shadow-fleet\/","title":{"rendered":"Taking on the Russian oil shadow fleet"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Recently, I joined a protest – in the open sea, off the Swedish island of Gotland.  With the war in Ukraine<\/a>, the war in Gaza<\/a>, increased military spending<\/a> across the board, and world leaders increasingly talking about the need for defence and arms\u2026 it\u2019s easy to feel very small and also a bit afraid. <\/p>\n\n

Living in privileged Denmark, it is, of course, still far away. One thing isn\u2019t, though: Every day up to five Russian oil tankers<\/a> pass through Danish waters. Despite sanctions and a price cap, Russia is still earning billions on its oil exports. The industry has just moved more into the shadows. <\/p>\n\n

\"Protest
Greenpeace Nordic launches a peaceful protest against a bunker vessel fuelling the Russian so-called shadow fleet in open sea off the Swedish island Gotland.
\u00a9 Greenpeace \/ Will Rose<\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

What is the Russian oil shadow fleet?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

The Russian so-called shadow fleet<\/a> consists of second hand decrepit oil tankers transporting Russian oil to world markets. This fleet emerged in response to the international sanctions<\/a> imposed on Russia following the invasion of Ukraine. In an effort from Western countries to maintain Russia\u2019s oil flowing to the global market while keeping Putin\u2019s earnings from the export low, the shadow fleet grew at a rapid pace. <\/p>\n\n

The rusty oil tankers are often worn out and old, missing inspections, have dubious insurance if any at all<\/a>, obscure ownership and are registered in countries with lax regulations. The Russian shadow fleet is a severe threat to our treasured seas and coastlines in Denmark. A shipping expert calls it \u201can accident waiting to happen<\/a>\u201d. <\/p>\n\n

At the same time, it\u2019s a clear sign of the broken energy system. The global society\u2019s dependence on oil is the reason behind the vague sanctions which paved the way for the rising of this shadow fleet. And, the shadow fleet is also fuelling Russia\u2019s war on Ukraine<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n

Protest in open sea against Russian oil shadow fleet<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n

Swedish media<\/a> revealed in early April that the fleet was being refuelled just off the Swedish island of Gotland. The Zircone<\/em> is a 125 metre long \u201cbunker vessel\u201d operating as a floating gas station that for several months has been providing the Russian shadow fleet with fuel and thereby enabling the export of crude oil to the global market.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n

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A post shared by Greenpeace International \ud83c\udf0d (@greenpeace)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>