CREA attributes the use of a shadow fleet and ship registrations to sanctions tightening, noting that ships with non-Russian flags were used to evade restrictions, a practice that weakened as Western pressure increased.

CREA says shadow fleet ships were re-flagged under Russia’s flag as options dwindled due to enforcement, a response to heightened vigilance against flag-vessel violations.

The report cites incidents such as the Arctic-Metagaz explosion in March 2026 to illustrate ongoing risks from aging, unregulated tankers, with coordination among Italy, Malta, and Libya to manage such incidents.

Despite re-flagging, the shadow fleet remains at risk from aging, uninsured tankers and ongoing seizures when they violate international law, with the Arctic-Met Gaz incident cited as an example.

By June 2026, 72 of the 107 ships registered during the period exported Russian fossil fuels worth about €7.5 billion, indicating continued export activity despite sanctions.

In this period, 72 of the 107 reporting ships exported Russian fossil fuels totaling roughly €7.5 billion by June 2026.

The article relies on CREA’s analysis and Kyiv Independent, framing the sanctions within the broader context of Western maritime-law enforcement.

Russia’s response to sanctions included re-registering ships under its flag to bring them back under Russian regulatory control, though CREA cautions that risks from aging, uninsured tankers persist.

CREA emphasizes that re-flagging under Russia does not eliminate sanctions-related risks and the broader issue of aging, uninsured tankers remains.

EU sanctions are tightening around Russia’s shadow fleet, curbing its ability to export oil and gas without attracting attention.

From January 2025 to June 2026, Russia’s ship register grew 36 percent (from 280 to 382 vessels), but 87 percent of the newly registered ships were already under international sanctions.

Register growth occurred largely among ships already under sanctions, highlighting the enforcement challenge within the fleet.