European Countries Close Baltic Sea to Russia’s Shadow Fleet, Disrupting Oil Exports

Fourteen European countries have announced coordinated measures to restrict access to the Baltic Sea for Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, targeting Moscow’s ability to export oil while bypassing international sanctions.

As per an official statement published on January 26, the countries said tankers that conceal their origin by changing flags, switching off transponders, falsifying Automatic Identification System (AIS) data, or operating without valid documentation will be treated as vessels without nationality. Under international maritime law, such ships may be detained without legal risk.

The statement was signed by Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. The measures apply to the Baltic Sea and, in some cases, the North Sea, which are key transit routes for Russian oil shipments.

Russia is being accused of deliberately interfering with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals in the region, warning that the disruptions pose a direct threat to maritime safety and complicate navigation and rescue operations. “These disturbances, originating from the Russian Federation, degrade the safety of international shipping. All vessels are at risk,” the statement said.

European governments stressed the importance of uninterrupted GNSS services and the proper functioning of AIS, which coordinates vessel movements and supports emergency response. They warned that AIS manipulation increases the risk of accidents at sea.

The joint statement emphasized strict compliance with international maritime conventions, including the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Vessels violating these rules may be detained by coastal authorities.

Western governments describe Russia’s shadow fleet as a network of aging, poorly insured tankers used to evade sanctions. The fleet has been linked to environmental risks and broader Russian-backed hybrid activities, including GPS jamming along NATO’s eastern flank.

The announcement follows recent enforcement actions by the U.S., which has detained several Russia-linked tankers in recent weeks after determining that some vessels were operating under false flags and could be treated as stateless.

European countries said the measures are intended to uphold maritime safety in the Baltic Sea and North Sea region and urged the international community to recognize GNSS interference and AIS manipulation as threats to maritime safety and security.