As two 20 year old tankers from São Tomé & Príncipe leave Murmansk, EU takes new measures against 'shadow fleet'
The European Union’s 16th sanctions package against aggressor state Russia includes restrictions on several oil tankers operating in the Arctic.
For more than two weeks, the 274 meter long crude oil tanker Lokosao had been waiting to load at a transshipment facility in the Kola Bay. On 20 February, the 20 years old vessel finally set out to the Barents Sea with course for Port Said, Egypt.
Few days later, the Lokosao sailed southwards along the Norwegian coast together with tanker Lorena Grand. Both vessels sail under the flag of São Tomé & Príncipe, the tiny African island state.
The Lokosao and the Lorena Grand are among the tankers that are targeted by the European Union in its 16th sanctions package against Russia.
The measures that were announced by the EU Council on 24 February 2025 include 74 tankers that are considered part of Russia's so-called shadow fleet.
The sanctions package were announced on the three-year anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine
"For three years now, Russia has relentlessly bombed Ukraine, attempting to steal land that isn’t theirs to take. This new round of sanctions not only targets the Russian shadow fleet but those who support the operation of unsafe oil tankers," Kaja Kallas, the European Commission High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, says in a statement.
The new sanctions package also targets key sectors of the Russian economy, including energy, trade, transport, infrastructure, and financial services.
The total number of 'shadow fleet' tankers included in the EU sanctions list is now 153.
The Lokosao and the Lorena Grand are likely to be on the list.
Sanctioned tankers are frequent visitors to the north Russian port of Murmansk. As the Lokosao and the Lorena Grand left Murmansk, the Aquatica was preparing to make port call. The 243 meter long tanker sails under the flag of Barbados. It is included in the US sanctions list against Russia.
In mid-January, the Dignity and Makalu loaded crude oil in the Kola Bay. Both are included in the US sanctions list announced on January 10, 2025.
They are also likely to be among the vessels included in the new EU sanctions.
The new sanctions will created additional troubles for the Russian oil industry and its partners. From before, the EU's 15th sanctions package from mid-December 2024 caused major challenges for Russia's transportation of oil across the Arctic.
Since December 2024, a brand new fleet of LNG carriers has been lying idle in the freezing sea-ice of the Pechora Sea.
The EU and US sanctions against shadow fleet carriers have paralysed parts of Russia's oil industry .
In order to circumnavigate the international sanctions, the ships mostly operate under new names and are managed by newly established straw companies. Many are old and pose a serious security threat to the marine environment.
The sanctions are adopted to increase pressure on Russia to end its war of aggression, the European Commission emphasises.
"As Russia's illegal aggression enters its fourth year, this package is designed to further ramp up pressure on the aggressor and is part of the EU's unwavering commitment to a just and lasting peace for Ukraine," a statement reads.
