British Navy could seize Russian tankers: Here's what's behind the plans.

Military deployment against shadow fleet planned

According to TSN.ua: In response to threats from Moscow, the British government is considering the seizure of tankers linked to Russia. Military options for detaining the ships have already been discussed in talks with NATO partners and in briefings for Parliament. Units of the Royal Marines are reportedly 'impatiently' awaiting a corresponding deployment order.

Scope and routes of the shadow fleet

According to Lloyd's List Intelligence, 23 ships of a so-called shadow fleet were identified in the English Channel and the Baltic Sea in January 2023. These ships fly fake or manipulated flags, making their legal classification questionable. The majority of this fleet is involved in the export of Russian oil to the following countries:

• China
• India
• Turkey

This underscores the strategic significance of the ships for circumventing international sanctions.

The background is the oil price caps introduced by the G7, Australia, and the EU in early December 2022. A cap of $60 per barrel applies to Russian crude oil. Since February 5, 2023, price limits for Russian oil products have also been established: the upper limit for diesel fuel is $100, and for various lubricants, it is $45 per barrel. The operational control over many of these ships lies with the Russian state-owned company Sovcomflot, making the enforcement of sanctions even more difficult.

Seizing the tankers would thus be a significant step to disrupt the circumvention mechanisms for Russian oil. It reflects the efforts of the UK and its allies to increase pressure on Moscow. Such measures could further escalate tensions between the West and Russia while also affecting the stability of the global oil market.