A French Admiral has disclosed that Russia's so-called 'shadow fleet' consists of approximately 900 unregistered ships, which are allegedly utilized to bypass Western oil sanctions stemming from the Ukraine conflict.

In a bid to increase pressure on this shadow fleet, Germany and Sweden have recently implemented measures to scrutinize tankers with insufficient insurance in the Baltic Sea, with inspections commencing on July 1, 2025.

Many vessels within this fleet are older medium-sized tankers, often acquired by obscure operators, raising significant concerns regarding their safety standards and insurance coverage.

The poor condition of these tankers poses serious environmental and safety risks, with fears of potential maritime disasters due to inadequate maintenance.

The shadow fleet, also referred to as the 'ghost fleet', is under heightened surveillance by European nations, particularly France, which monitors around ten ships daily in the English Channel.

In light of ongoing issues, the European Commission is proposing to expand its sanctions list, potentially adding 70 'phantom tankers' to the existing roster of 342 vessels used by Russia for oil transport.

Admiral Benoit de Guibert emphasized that the shadow fleet exploits the leniencies of international maritime law and the lack of transparency in global shipping.

This fleet not only serves Russian interests but also supports operations from countries like Iran and North Korea.

Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur estimates that the total number of ships in the Russian phantom fleet is around 500, while Greenpeace suggests the figure may be closer to 200, all noted for being in poor condition and underinsured.

If discrepancies are uncovered during inspections, it could lead to increased European monitoring and potential sanctions against the identified vessels.