Shipping safety has become a casualty of economic sanctions

Economic sanctions, aimed at curbing illegal activities and imposing political consequences, have inadvertently compromised shipping safety, particularly within the "dark fleet"—a clandestine network of aging, poorly maintained tankers engaged in deceptive practices. 

The UK’s recent efforts, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, to ban these vessels from European waters underscore the increasing concern over their potential security risks. The dark fleet, consisting of tankers like the Ceres I and the unladen Pablo, often evades sanctions by employing tactics such as AIS tracker spoofing, false flagging, and dubious insurance arrangements. This fleet, linked to over 50 accidents, represents a significant threat as it operates outside the scope of mainstream classification and safety standards.

The rise of the dark fleet, comprising over 10% of the global tanker fleet, has been exacerbated by sanctions that inadvertently push these vessels into the shadows rather than eliminating them. Politicians, including Starmer, focus on halting illicit financial flows but lack a concrete plan to prevent environmental disasters caused by these substandard ships. The ongoing expansion of this fleet, characterized by obfuscation and evasion, highlights the difficulty of enforcing regulations and the limited effectiveness of current sanctions. Despite the rhetoric of tightening measures, the actual impact has been the perpetuation of a risky operating model with lower costs and minimal oversight.

The existence of the dark fleet raises questions about the future of these vessels and their operators. The possibility of reintegrating these ships into the mainstream maritime industry remains uncertain, as the allure of high profits in shadowy trades persists. The proliferation of such vessels could result in an increasingly dangerous and unregulated maritime sector. The West faces a delicate balance: while sanctions aim to curb illicit activities, they must not undermine global shipping safety standards. The current situation underscores the need for a nuanced approach to sanctions policy that considers both economic and safety ramifications, ensuring that the pursuit of political objectives does not inadvertently compromise global security and environmental safety.

Source: Llyod's List