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A recent surge in the number of clandestine vessels—often referred to as “shadow ships”—has raised alarm among global maritime authorities and governments. These vessels are increasingly transporting oil from sanctioned nations like Russia and Iran, undermining international efforts to enforce sanctions and posing significant challenges to maritime law. As the shadow fleet expands, discussions intensify on how to effectively counteract this phenomenon.
The Rise of the Shadow Fleet
On 26 January, an urgent email from a crew member aboard a tanker, initially identified as the Beeta, reached the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) in Mumbai. The correspondence revealed serious grievances regarding crew conditions, including unpaid wages and inadequate supplies. Alarmingly, the vessel was later identified as the Gale, which is under U.S. sanctions.
The ITF, a global representative body for seafarers, is accustomed to receiving distress signals from ships worldwide. However, the fact that complaints were directed not only to the ITF but also to sanctions enforcement agencies indicates a troubling trend. The sailor’s desperate plea highlighted a broader issue: the shadow fleet—an estimated 1,468 vessels—has proliferated since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine nearly four years ago, accounting for approximately 18-19% of the total tanker fleet engaged in international trade.
Characteristics of Shadow Ships
Shadow vessels are often characterised by their age, with many exceeding 20 years, and are typically poorly maintained. Ownership details remain intentionally obscure, with names and flags frequently changed to evade detection. The crews, often recruited under misleading contracts, find themselves in precarious positions, unaware of the true nature of their vessels. One Russian engineer shared his experience aboard the EU- and UK-sanctioned tanker Serena, only realising its status once onboard. “Once they’re at sea, they’ve got them prisoner on board,” noted Nathan Smith, an ITF inspector, who described the conditions on these ships as tantamount to “modern-day slavery.”
Denis, the engineer, recounted the deteriorating conditions aboard the Serena, where equipment failures went unaddressed due to a lack of spare parts and maintenance. The ship’s true ownership was a mystery, complicating any potential complaints or calls for help from the crew.
The Emergence of ‘Zombie Ships’
A particularly insidious category of shadow vessels, referred to as “zombie ships,” has also surfaced. These vessels often steal the identities of decommissioned ships, using their International Maritime Organisation (IMO) numbers and disguising their true nature to evade sanctions. The Gale exemplifies this trend, having re-emerged under false identities since being sanctioned for its involvement in transporting Iranian oil.
The tanker was observed loading cargo through a ship-to-ship transfer—a common tactic among shadow fleet vessels. This practice is prevalent in regions noted for maritime lawlessness, such as the waters east of Singapore, where multiple vessels converge to conceal their activities. Analysts like Michelle Wiese Bockmann emphasise that such operations complicate the tracing of oil shipments, allowing sanctioned oil to flow relatively unimpeded.
International Responses and Challenges
The growing prevalence of shadow vessels has prompted urgent discussions among Western governments about potential responses. Recent actions by the United States in Venezuela, including the interception of tankers involved in sanction violations, exemplify one approach. The U.S. military has recently engaged in high-profile operations to seize these vessels, with the UK also stepping up its involvement by deploying surveillance aircraft and naval support.
However, the complexity of dealing with shadow ships poses considerable challenges. The maintenance of seized vessels requires resources, and the handling of the oil aboard raises further complications. Many European allies remain cautious, wary of adopting the more aggressive tactics employed by the U.S.
The ongoing problem is compounded by the sheer number of shadow vessels, as well as the potential security risks they pose beyond oil transport. Recent warnings from the UK and its Baltic and North Sea allies underscore the rising threat of AIS manipulation and other forms of interference that jeopardise maritime safety.
Why it Matters
The escalating presence of shadow vessels represents not just a challenge to international sanctions but also a broader threat to maritime security and global order. As these ships continue to operate in the shadows, their activities fuel conflicts and undermine the international legal frameworks designed to maintain order at sea. The urgency for a coordinated response has never been greater, as governments grapple with the implications of a shadow fleet that increasingly operates beyond the reach of law and accountability. The international community must act decisively to address this growing crisis or risk allowing these vessels to operate unchecked in a crucial maritime domain.
