Escalating Issue of Sanctions-Evading Shadow Ships: A Global Dilemma

Wed Feb 11 2026 07:04:56 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

With the rise of shadow fleets circumventing sanctions, governments face critical questions about how to respond effectively to this maritime crisis that intertwines human rights abuses with geopolitical tensions.

Recent reports highlight the growing phenomenon of shadow fleets—ships evading sanctions to transport Russian and Iranian oil. Backed by crew members' alarming tales, experts warn of the 'modern-day slavery' conditions aboard these vessels. As the international community grapples with how to address this complex issue, effective countermeasures remain in limbo, raising urgent concerns for maritime safety and global governance.

Escalating Issue of Sanctions-Evading Shadow Ships: A Global Dilemma

With the rise of shadow fleets circumventing sanctions, governments face critical questions about how to respond effectively to this maritime crisis that intertwines human rights abuses with geopolitical tensions.

On January 26, an urgent email from crew members aboard the crude oil tanker Beeta, off the coast of Singapore, reached an office in Mumbai. The message included grave accusations of unpaid wages and inhumane treatment of the crew, sending ripples through the maritime community.

The tanker, however, was not as it seemed—the email revealed that Beeta was a shadowy alias for the Gale, a vessel blacklisted under U.S. sanctions. This shocking revelation reflects the increasingly common practice of using 'shadow fleets', a term referring to the growing number of ships transporting Russian and Iranian oil while evading international regulations.

According to maritime tracking organizations, the shadow fleet is now estimated to encompass 1,468 vessels, tripling in size since Russia's invasion of Ukraine four years ago and representing roughly 18-19% of the total internationally trading tanker fleet.

These ships exhibit characteristics that set them apart: they are often old, poorly maintained, and their ownership details are deliberately obscure, asserting an air of legal ambiguity. They frequently utilize deceptive maneuvers to disguise their locations, such as switching off their automatic identification systems (AIS).

Reports from the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) indicate dangerous working conditions aboard many of these vessels, where crew members often find themselves trapped in a cycle of exploitation and abuse. With allegations of modern-day slavery surfacing, experts are calling for urgent action.

Governments are left pondering how to tackle this evolving maritime menace. While some solutions have included military interventions, particularly from the U.S. and France, the logistics involved in seizing and detaining such vessels pose complex operational challenges.

Recent military operations against sanctioned vessels have highlighted the willingness of international forces to engage, yet a cohesive global strategy remains elusive. The interplay of oil profits fueling geopolitical conflicts continues to complicate responses to the shadow fleet phenomenon.

In the face of rising frustration towards Russia's ability to evade sanctions, policymakers worldwide are under pressure to devise effective measures to dismantle these nefarious networks. In doing so, not only must they consider maritime safety and environmental implications, but also the human rights of those involuntarily caught in this turbulent milieu.