The Eventin, a «shadow fleet» tanker confiscated by Germany, pictured off the shore of Sassnitz on April 16, 2025. Photo: Tobias Schile / Reuters
For the first time, Australia has imposed sanctions on Russian tankers linked to the so-called “shadow fleet,” according to a statement from the Australian government released on June 16. The sanctions take immediate effect, according to a report by ABC. Any tanker on the blacklist can now be denied entry to Australian ports.
The office of Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong released an additional statement, explaining that:
“Russia uses these vessels to circumvent international sanctions and sustain its illegal and immoral war against Ukraine. Operating under deceptive practices, including flag-hopping, disabling tracking systems, and operating with inadequate insurance, the shadow fleet enables the illicit trade of Russian oil and other sanctioned goods. These sanctions reinforce Australia's consistent commitment to ensuring Russia, and those enabling its illegal invasion of Ukraine, face consequences.”
The “shadow fleet” refers to aging or obscurely registered tankers that help Russia bypass international sanctions and continue exporting oil in circumvention of a $60-per-barrel price cap imposed in 2022 by the G7, EU, and Australia. Similar measures targeting such vessels have already been enacted by the EU, UK, U.S., and Canada.
The exact size of the shadow fleet remains unclear, but S&P Global estimates that at least 591 ships are involved in Russia’s illicit oil trade.