Russia’s Shadow Fleet Could Be Used for Military Logistics, Politico Reports

Russia may be using its shadow fleet not only for transporting oil but also for strategic military logistics, such as shipping tanks and fuel, according to Politico on December 16.

Elizabeth Braw, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, stresses that rebuilding the US strategic maritime transport system should be a top priority.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the shadow fleet has grown significantly. These vessels operate outside the official maritime system, posing risks to legal shipping, coastal states, and the environment while increasing threats to NATO.

Comprised of poorly insured ships under flags of convenience from countries like Gabon, the fleet previously transported sanctioned goods for countries such as Iran, Venezuela, and North Korea. Russia, now heavily reliant on the shadow fleet, has attracted interest from legitimate shipowners eager to sell aging vessels.

Now estimated to make up 17% of the global oil tanker fleet, the shadow fleet includes over 1,000 vessels.

“That means that the owners of more than 1,000 merchant vessels have taken Russia’s side,” Politico notes.

While not all owners support Russia politically, many profit from sanctions evasion. These ships, Braw warns, could be repurposed for military transport.

“These vessels are already unofficially serving Russia and other countries that rely on the shadow fleet. The fact that the dark fleet is available to these countries in peacetime means that it can also be available when things become less peaceful,” said Svein Ringbakken, CEO of the Norwegian maritime war-risk insurer DNK.

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According to Politico, the problem is further exacerbated by the weakened state of US maritime capabilities. Of 44 vessels under US Transportation Command, 17 are over 50 years old, and the US Maritime Administration now has just 92 ships, down from 2,277 in the 1950s, despite over 90% of US military equipment for Europe being shipped by sea.

Braw emphasizes that the US must prioritize restoring its maritime transport system while ensuring the shadow fleet isn’t used for Russian military logistics.

“Now would be a good time to let the dark vessels’ crews and owners know that while aiding sanctioned Russian trade might seem like a clever idea, supporting the Russian military would be a terrible one,” Braw concludes.

Earlier on December 12, the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) has published new databases on its War&Sanctions portal, releasing details on 238 Russian vessels identified as part of a shadow fleet of aging oil tankers.