Russia transported over 60% of seaborne oil exports by "shadow fleet" of tankers in 2024 - DIU. INFOGRAPHICS
In 2024, Russia transported more than 60% of its maritime oil exports by shadow fleet tankers, including 78% of crude oil and 37% of oil products.
According to Censor.NET, this was reported by the DIU of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
Russia's total maritime oil exports are estimated at more than 80 billion euros: crude oil - 57 billion euros and oil products - 26 billion euros.
The War & Sanctions portal has published an updated list of shadow fleet vessels, which includes 35 new tankers. Information on vessels that have changed their identities and ownership structure in recent months to circumvent sanctions has also been updated.
Russia's "shadow fleet" consists of 387 tankers transporting oil and oil products with a total deadweight of more than 57 million metric tons.
According to the DIU, Russia is now changing its model of behavior with its hidden fleet: in addition to the UAE, India, Seychelles, and the Marshall Islands, it is also choosing China, including Hong Kong, and the Russian Federation, as the countries of registration for the owners/managers of shadow tankers.
In addition, Russia distributes vessels under the umbrella of new "convenient" flags of the Comoros, Curacao, Djibouti, Guyana, Gambia, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Tanzania.
The updated list of the "shadow fleet" includes vessels associated with the 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 tactic of "ship-juggling," the DIU noted.
The ships of the "shadow fleet" hide data on ships and cargo, turn off navigation equipment, creating threats to navigation. High-risk STS-loading is widely used, i.e. transshipment of oil from tanker to tanker on the high seas, which makes it difficult to control the origin of raw materials.
According to the DIU, more than 90% of the shadow tankers published on the portal do not have proper Western insurance, which means that in the event of an accident or oil spill, the affected coastal countries may not receive any compensation.
The DIU emphasized that intelligence continues to monitor the activities of the "shadow fleet" and publishes updates on the War & Sanctions portal.
