2025-02-04 11:00:10

The Controversial Rise of Russia's Shadow Fleet

The emergence of Russia's shadow fleet has sparked significant criticism and concern. This clandestine network of oil tankers, often old and poorly maintained, has become a lucrative venture for German shipowners, notwithstanding the ethical and environmental implications. Prominent figures such as left-wing politician Norbert Hackbusch and CDU defense expert Johann Wadephul have condemned the practice of selling these vessels to Russia. Since the onset of the war, over 200 ships, including those from German companies like Schulte Group and Chemikalien Seetransport GmbH, have been sold to this fleet.

These transactions have raised alarm due to the potential environmental hazards and poor working conditions associated with the aging ships. The sales have not breached any explicit laws, but they exploit regulatory loopholes, prompting calls for stricter oversight. The controversial fleet is involved in circumventing trade embargoes and has been implicated in espionage and sabotage activities.

Critics, including German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, have highlighted the moral decay in profiting from such ventures. As the shadow fleet continues to operate under flags of convenience, international efforts to enforce sanctions and maintain maritime security are increasingly complex.

NDR
4. Februar 2025 um 05:18

Russian Shadow Fleet: A Million-Dollar Business for North German Shipowners

Politics
Economy
Left-wing politician Norbert Hackbusch and CDU defense policy expert Johann Wadephul sharply criticize the sale of German tankers to the Russian shadow fleet. Data also shows that there are currently 89 tankers in the German merchant fleet that are older than 15 years and therefore potentially eligible for resale to the shadow fleet.
Tagesschau
4. Februar 2025 um 05:00

Russian Shadow Fleet: Billion-Dollar Business for Western Shipowners

Politics
Economy
More than 200 former Western tankers are now part of the Russian shadow fleet. German shipowners like Salamon AG and Chemikalien Seetransporte GmbH also profited from the sale of the ships, some of which were sold after the start of the Ukraine war. The tankers are classified as a security risk.
sueddeutsche
4. Februar 2025 um 05:00

SZ Podcast "Das Thema": Russia's Shadow Fleet

Politics
Economy
Environment
Russian shadow fleet circumvents trade embargo; German companies profit; Russia earns 15 billion US dollars; tankers have poor working conditions, pose an environmental hazard, were used for espionage and sabotage activities and are not insured in case of an accident; research by SZ, NDR, WDR and international partners; podcast "Das Thema"; Mauritius Much and Ben Heubl from the SZ investigative team report.
sueddeutsche
4. Februar 2025 um 05:00

Russia Sanctions: 16 Months of Hell at Sea

Politics
Economy
Finance
The Russia sanctions have given rise to a shadow fleet of often dilapidated tankers and freighters flying the flags of exotic countries to transport goods such as Russian oil. Ukrainian crewing agencies like Novomar provide seafarers to these ships, whose crews have to work under undignified conditions. Companies like Uvis GmbH and Zolos Shipping are associated with this shadow fleet. The tanker Arina 1 was detained due to serious deficiencies and violations of labor rights. Enforcing the sanc..
CW

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