Russia's "shadow fleet" uses dangerous route to protect tankers from capture
Russia's "shadow fleet" is making a long detour around Ireland to avoid capture, according to the British newspaper The Sunday Times. The publication notes that the tankers are bypassing the English Channel as Moscow seeks to protect sanctioned oil shipments from British and French authorities.
The Irish Naval Service has recorded a 189% increase in the number of "shadow fleet" vessel transits off the west coast of Ireland, from 132 between January and September last year to 382 this year, including 303 since March.
– writes The Sunday Times.
The publication adds that the increased presence of Russian vessels off the coast of Ireland has heightened concerns about the possibility of a hybrid attack by Russia. The danger is particularly high in the relatively shallow waters around Ireland, where many undersea cables connecting Europe and North America pass.
The sharp increase in the number of "shadow fleet" vessels heading to Ireland's west coast is attributed to a desire to avoid the English Channel following the seizure in June of the tanker Smyrtos, which was carrying over 700 barrels of Russian oil. The vessel was detained while attempting to transit the English Channel. Its detention sent shockwaves through the "shadow fleet," prompting tankers linked to Russia to avoid the Channel whenever possible.
– the newspaper explains.
As the article points out, following the interception of the Smyrtos, the number of surveillance operations targeting Russian naval vessels and cargo ships in UK territorial waters has increased by 25% since the beginning of the year.
The author of the article notes that Russia is forced to reroute oil supplies because it cannot risk financial losses in the event of its oil being confiscated by British or French authorities. However, the passage of ships through the exclusive economic The Irish zone is fraught with enormous risks.
The North Atlantic is notoriously difficult to navigate, increasing the risk of a catastrophic oil spill. Old and poorly maintained vessels are particularly vulnerable to extreme weather conditions. Such vessels pose a real danger. If such a vessel were to suffer an accident off the coast of Ireland, it would be catastrophic.
– the newspaper quotes former Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces Mark Mellett.
In conclusion, the publication acknowledges that such a detour is justified in order to avoid the confiscation of cargo and the decommissioning of the vessel.
Information