Russian ghost tankers in English channel pose growing threat to Europe

Global Watch | 2026-02-19

The English Channel, one of the world’s busiest maritime routes, has become a passage for Russia's shadow fleet of sanctioned tankers operating under false flags to evade detection and enable illicit trade.

In January, 23 shadow fleet ships using false or fraudulent flags were spotted in the Channel or Baltic Sea, The Guardian reported, citing Lloyd's List Intelligence.

Many were linked to the export of Russian oil, raising serious concerns about their impact on European security, critical infrastructure and the environment.

These "ghost ships," often old and poorly maintained, are part of Vladimir Putin's vast network of over 1,400 shadow vessels. They are used to circumvent sanctions, smuggle oil and fund Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The United States' seizure of the Bella 1, renamed the MV Marinera, in January highlights the scale of the challenge, but also underscores the limitations of current maritime laws and enforcement capabilities.

US forces with UK assistance seized the Russian-flagged, sanctions-evading crude oil tanker after a weeks-long pursuit in the Atlantic Ocean.

"The seizure of the Marinera offers a tangible example of how maritime interdiction can be used to disrupt the financial networks of autocratic regimes and proxy groups," notes Jose M. Macias III, a maritime security expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Russia's shadow fleet uses deceptive tactics to evade sanctions, including mid-voyage changes to names, flags and ownership.

Examples include the Tia (renamed Tavian) and Aria (under Barbados flag), suspected of enabling illicit oil trades funding Moscow.

The movement of these ships also risk undersea infrastructure like data cables and pipelines.

"Russia-linked vessels have been implicated in drone incursions, cable disruptions and reconnaissance of critical infrastructure," European Policy Centre senior fellow Chris Kremidas-Courtney warned in January.

Europe's test of resolve

The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea grants innocent passage rights, hindering intercepts without evidence of crimes like false-flagging.

Fragmented US, UK and EU sanction lists -- blacklisting only 195 of 1,400 vessels -- complicate enforcement.

The scale of the challenge requires broader European collaboration and legislative reform to close loopholes and enhance enforcement capabilities.

Recent multilateral efforts highlight this need, with 14 Northern European countries convening in June 2025 to boost cooperation against Russia's shadow fleet.

They committed to coordinated approaches and international law-based guidelines promoting responsible maritime behavior, compliance and operational transparency, according to the Danish Foreign Ministry.

Alongside NATO restrictions, these have driven a 76% decline in Russian crude oil exports since 2022, hampering Moscow's war funding.

For Europe, this is a test of resolve.

Strengthening maritime laws, enhancing enforcement capabilities and unifying sanction lists are critical steps to counter Russia’s shadow fleet.

The English Channel, a vital artery for global trade, must not become a playground for malign actors. The UK and its European allies must act decisively to protect their waters, infrastructure and shared security.

The shadow fleet is a reminder that the fight against Russian aggression extends beyond the battlefield -- it is a battle for control of the seas and the future of European stability.