Important to modernize European legislation so that tankers carrying Russian oil are not only stopped, but also seized and their oil repurposed for Europe’s security

Belgium seized an oil tanker believed to be part of Russia’s “shadow fleet,” which is used to circumvent Western sanctions over the war in Ukraine. Special forces, assisted by French helicopters, boarded the ship in a covert operation in the North Sea. Belgium’s defense minister, Theo Francken, said

The Ethera was sailing under the flag of Guinea

Prosecutors said the tanker, identified as the Ethera,(IMO 9387279, MMSI 632001149) was sailing under the flag of Guinea falsely and was believed to be en route to Russia when it was seized in Belgium’s exclusive economic zone. The Belgian federal prosecutor’s office said the ship’s captain, who is a Russian citizen, is being questioned, and a criminal investigation is underway. The office added in a statement that the documents found on the Ethera were also suspected of being false.

Europe is adopting a firmer position in response to Russia's shadow fleet.

.The seizure suggests that Europe is taking a harder stance against Russia’s shadow fleet. Since the beginning of the year, Western naval forces have increased their surveillance of shadow fleet vessels in the Baltic Sea and the North Sea. In particular, the US, UK, France, and Germany have increased surveillance operations and are more prepared to board vessels at gunpoint using helicopters.

Related : Ukraine seizes one of Russia’s “shadow fleet” ships

Dilapidated tankers,

These dilapidated tankers, which are often uninsured or underinsured, sail under the flags of countries such as Panama, Gambia, Barbados, and Comoros. They transport Russian crude oil to destinations including China and India. The oil is processed in these countries and then sold on international markets.

At this point, it is no longer identified as Russian. Therefore, it circumvents the international sanctions imposed on Moscow as punishment for its invasion of Ukraine. Russia has previously described the seizure of its tankers and other vessels carrying its cargo as acts of piracy

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Moscow’s floating purse

 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised Belgium for its "strong action against Moscow’s floating purse" and thanked France for supporting the operation."This particular vessel has long been under US, EU, and UK sanctions but continued to illegally transport Russian oil under a false flag with forged documents," he said. 

 He added, "It is also important to modernize European legislation so that tankers carrying Russian oil are not only stopped, but also seized and their oil repurposed for Europe’s security."

Belgium will uphold international maritime law

.Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever congratulated the military on the successful operation conducted the previous night. He thanked France for its support on social media and added, "Belgium will uphold international maritime law and the security of its territorial waters."

Related : EU : A new strict measures against the so-called “shadow fleet"

Agencies 

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