Denmark Tightens Inspections to Block Russia’s Shadow Fleet in the Baltic Sea
Denmark has moved to intensify inspections of oil tankers transiting through its waters, joining broader European efforts to dismantle Russia’s “shadow fleet.”
The Gaze reports this, referring to Bloomberg and European Pravda.
In a statement issued Sunday, the Danish government announced stricter checks targeting older, poorly maintained tankers frequently linked to sanction-busting operations.
Officials said the new measures will focus on environmental compliance and maritime safety, given the heightened risks posed by these vessels. “We must put a stop to Putin’s war machine. We’re using everything at our disposal,” stated Business Minister Morten Bødskovю
Environment Minister Magnus Heunicke noted that large numbers of outdated tankers pass through Danish territorial waters, emphasizing that tighter oversight is crucial to both environmental protection and maritime security.
Under the initiative, Denmark’s Maritime Authority and Environmental Protection Agency will conduct additional onboard inspections to verify adherence to international environmental standards.
The government also plans to introduce mandatory sulfur-content testing for marine fuels by the end of 2025 – part of an effort to detect non-compliant tankers and strengthen enforcement.
Data gathered through these inspections will be shared with European partners to improve coordination in identifying and sanctioning shadow fleet vessels.
The Danish move follows a recent call by French President Emmanuel Macron, who urged European nations to detain shadow fleet tankers entering their waters. French prosecutors last week investigated a vessel that refused to identify its flag and ignored naval requests, prompting Paris to advocate tougher regional enforcement.
Despite sanctions imposed by the U.S., U.K., and EU on hundreds of ships involved in transporting Russian oil, much of the crude continues to flow via reflagged and uninsured vessels.
Estonia has also warned that Russia’s shadow fleet poses growing environmental and navigational dangers in the Baltic Sea, calling for a coordinated European response.
As The Gaze reported earlier, Danish military intelligence has accused Russia of conducting a series of deliberate naval provocations in the narrow waterways connecting the Baltic Sea to the North Sea.