Confiscation of Russian 'Shadow Fleet' Tankers: EU Exploring Options.

European countries are searching for ways to detain Russian tankers from the 'shadow fleet' in the Baltic Sea.

According to Politico, the EU is considering legal mechanisms to implement this initiative, as reported by Economic Truth.

Three options are being considered:

Confiscation of vessels due to environmental threats. Most Russian tankers are over 15 years old, increasing the risk of accidents and oil spills.

Utilizing anti-piracy laws. This would allow the detention of ships that harm critical underwater infrastructure. Such incidents have already been noted since 2023, when vessels damaged energy and internet cables.

Implementing new local laws. For instance, in the Baltic Sea, vessels may be required to use services from verified insurance companies. This would enable countries like Finland and Estonia to detain tankers with dubious insurance.

It is reported that the implementation of these plans requires coordination within the EU. However, it is noted that legal claims from Russia and financial costs may complicate the execution of these plans.