The European Union has intensified its maritime restrictions on Russia by sanctioning 41 additional ships belonging to the country’s so-called shadow fleet, bringing the total number of vessels on the EU sanctions list to nearly 600.
According to the Council of the European Union, the newly-sanctioned ships are now prohibited from entering EU ports and are barred from accessing a wide range of maritime transport-related services, further tightening restrictions on Russia’s ability to transport oil and other goods by sea.
This latest action is part of the EU’s broader strategy to pressure Russia through economic measures, following 19 sanction packages imposed to date, according to news agencies.
Despite these measures, Moscow has adapted to many of the restrictions and continues to sell millions of barrels of oil, primarily to India and China, often at discounted rates.
A significant portion of these oil shipments is transported via the shadow fleet, a network of privately-owned vessels and tankers used to circumvent sanctions and continue global exports.
The expansion of the EU’s sanctions list underscores ongoing efforts by the bloc to limit Russia’s ability to profit from maritime trade amidst the ongoing geopolitical tensions.
