“Shadow fleet” of the Russian Federation transports more than 60% of Russian oil exports by sea: details from the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine

Last year, Russia transported over 60% of its seaborne oil exports using a “shadow fleet” of tankers. This is reported by the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, according to UNN.

Details

“In 2024, Russia transported over 60% of its seaborne oil exports using a shadow fleet of tankers, including 78% of exported crude oil and 37% of petroleum products. The total seaborne oil exports of the aggressor state Russia are estimated at over 80 billion euros: crude oil – 57 billion euros and petroleum products – 26 billion euros,” informs the Main Intelligence Directorate.

It is noted that an updated list of shadow fleet vessels, which includes 35 new tankers, has been published on the War&Sanctions portal. Information on objects that have changed their identification data and ownership structure in recent months to circumvent sanctions has also been updated.

The Main Intelligence Directorate reports that the Russian shadow fleet consists of 387 tankers transporting oil and petroleum products with a total deadweight of over 57 million metric tons.

“Currently, the aggressor state is changing its behavior model with its hidden fleet – in addition to the UAE, India, the Seychelles, the Marshall Islands, it additionally chooses China, including Hong Kong, as well as Russia, to register the companies of owners/managers of shadow tankers,” the statement said.

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In addition, as indicated, Russia distributes vessels under the umbrella of new “convenient” flags of the Comoros Islands, Curacao, Djibouti, Guyana, Gambia, Sao Tome and Principe, and Tanzania.

In the updated list of the shadow fleet, as noted, there are vessels associated with operators of the Russian tanker fleet – Fractal Marine Shipping (UAE), Gatik ShipManagement (India), Sun Ship Management (UAE) and HenneseaHoldings Limited (UAE). Since 2022, these companies have been regularly changing owners, using the “vessel-juggling” tactic.

The Main Intelligence Directorate notes that the ships of the shadow fleet conceal data about the vessels and cargo, turn off navigation equipment, creating threats to navigation. High-risk STS loading is widely used – the transfer of oil from tanker to tanker in the open sea, which complicates control over the origin of raw materials.

Ukrainian intelligence notes that over 90% of the shadow tankers published on the portal do not have adequate Western insurance, and therefore – in the event of an accident or oil spill, the affected coastal countries may not receive any compensation.

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