Russia’s Dark fleet shipping and causing its dramatic rise

Introduction

What is Dark fleet shipping

Dark fleet shipping in the Baltic Sea refers to the increased presence and activities of vessels, primarily tankers, that operate with reduced transparency and often in violation of international maritime regulations. This phenomenon has become more prominent since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent imposition of sanctions on Russian oil exports.

Characteristics of Dark Fleet Vessels

Age and Condition: Many dark fleet ships are older vessels, often 15 years or older, which increases the risk of malfunctions and accidents.

Opaque Ownership: These vessels frequently have unclear ownership structures, making it difficult to attribute responsibility for their actions.

Evasive Practices: Dark fleet ships engage in tactics such as:

Turning off Automatic Identification Systems (AIS)

Conducting risky ship-to-ship transfers

Using falsified documentation or registrations

The growth of the dark fleet, also known as the shadow fleet, has been driven by several key factors

Sanctions Evasion

The primary reason for the expansion of the dark fleet is sanctions evasion, particularly in response to restrictions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This has led to:

An explosive growth in the number of vessels operating outside established maritime regulations

The use of complex ownership structures and flags of convenience to conceal true ownership

An increase in ship-to-ship transfers to mask the origin of cargo, especially oil

Economic Incentives

The dark fleet has expanded due to economic motivations, including:

Avoiding compliance costs associated with safety and environmental regulations

Evading insurance requirements and associated expenses

Engaging in illegal activities for financial gain, such as smuggling

Geopolitical Factors

The geopolitical landscape has contributed to the dark fleet’s growth:

Russia’s need to maintain oil exports despite international sanctions

The involvement of other sanctioned countries like Iran, North Korea, and Venezuela in shadow fleet operations

Regulatory Gaps

Weaknesses in the current regulatory framework have facilitated the expansion of the dark fleet:

Insufficient enforcement capabilities of international maritime organizations

Variations in flag state compliance and enforcement standards

Challenges in monitoring and controlling activities in international waters

Technological Exploitation

Dark fleet operators leverage technology to evade detection:

Disabling or manipulating Automatic Identification Systems (AIS)

Using sophisticated methods to falsify vessel positions and transmit false data

Recent incident in Baltic state

December 2024, the Estlink 2 power cable

connecting Finland and Estonia was severely damaged in what Finnish authorities described as

"grave sabotage," with investigations focusing on the Russian-linked tanker Eagle S, while NATO and Baltic nations intensified security measures, including enhanced underwater surveillance and naval operations, to counter recurring threats to critical undersea infrastructure in the region.

On December 25, 2024, the Estlink 2 power cable connecting Finland and Estonia suffered significant damage, reducing its transmission capacity from 1,016 megawatts to 358 megawatts 

The Eagle S is suspected to be part of Russia's "shadow fleet," a network used to circumvent Western sanctions. It has been suggested that an anchor from the vessel may have caused the damage. At the time of the incident, the tanker was transporting approximately 35,000 tons of unleaded gasoline. Finnish police have seized the vessel to conduct a more thorough investigation.

Conclusion

The growth of the dark fleet poses significant risks to maritime safety, environmental protection, and the integrity of the global maritime order.