The Nordic-Baltic 8++ countries (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom) on Monday issued a joint statement announcing further coordinated actions to disrupt and deter Russia’s “shadow fleet,” which poses risks to maritime safety, environmental protection, international trade, and the enforcement of sanctions.
“We are united in our shared determination to take coordinated steps to confront the risks posed by Russia’s shadow fleet,” the statement read. “This fleet works to circumvent sanctions and undermine international maritime law, which we are committed to upholding.”
The statement highlighted the particular vulnerability of the Baltic and North Seas, where the countries are especially exposed to the risks posed by shadow fleet vessels. In response, maritime authorities in the United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Finland, and Estonia will be tasked with requesting proof of insurance from suspected shadow vessels passing through sensitive waters, such as the English Channel, the Great Belt, the Sound, and the Gulf of Finland.
“We will act on information gathered from these operations and collaborate with our international partners to ensure accountability,” the statement emphasized. “Vessels supporting Russia’s war against Ukraine should be under no illusion: we are prepared to impose sanctions and hold them accountable for the risks they present.”
