CREA Urges EU and UK to Detain Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ Vessels Flying False Flags

EU coastal maritime enforcement authorities, the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the Royal Navy must detain vessels operating under false flags, according to a new report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). 

The report, published in late November, warned that Russia’s so-called ‘shadow fleet’ poses serious environmental and security risks to European and UK coastlines, and urged stronger enforcement measures to close loopholes in maritime oversight.

CREA’s analysis found that in the first three quarters of 2025, 113 Russian ‘shadow’ vessels flew false flags during operations. In volume terms, 13% of Russian oil transported by these vessels, equivalent to 11 million tonnes valued at €4.7 billion, was carried under false flags. 

September alone saw 90 vessels operating in this way, a six-fold increase compared with December 2024. Fifty-two of these ships traded at least once in the third quarter.

The report highlighted systemic vulnerabilities in global shipping registries, including abrupt reflagging, opaque ownership structures, insufficient due diligence and limited monitoring of high-risk behaviour at sea. 

CREA recommended the creation of a unified EU database of legitimate flag registries, shared between port authorities, to verify vessel certification. It also called for reforms to flag registration norms and expanded engagement with open registries to tighten the net around the shadow fleet.

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) defines a false flag vessel as one confirmed by the authorised flag administration as not legally registered under the flag it displays. CREA notes that 20 countries’ flags have been misused by shadow vessels, including states that do not offer flagging services or have deregistered vessels post-sanctions. 

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, 46 registries have flagged shadow vessels, 23 of which are classified as ‘flags of convenience’ by the International Transport Workers Federation. These registries have collectively flagged vessels transporting €50 billion worth of Russian oil, nearly one-fifth of all Russian oil moved by the shadow fleet.

Sanctioned vessels continue to operate by hopping between registries. CREA found that 134 vessels sanctioned by the EU, OFAC or the UK had shifted their flag registry within three months of designation, while 85 vessels registered at least two flag changes within six months. In September 2025 alone, 18 shadow vessels employing false flags transported €830 million of Russian oil globally.

The report stressed that sanctioned vessels carried 44% of Russia’s crude exports in the first three quarters of 2025, with unsanctioned shadow vessels accounting for 26% and G7+ owned or insured vessels carrying the remaining 30%. Around 30% of Russian crude carried by sanctioned vessels transited the Danish Straits and Dover Straits, key checkpoints under EU and UK control.

CREA’s recommendations included requiring flag certification for vessels transiting EU waters, expanding port authorities’ role in detaining false-flagged vessels and imposing strict fines on operators and insurers. 

It also called for EU coastal enforcement authorities, the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the Royal Navy to take direct action against shadow fleet vessels.

The report comes as the EU adopted its 19th package of sanctions against Russia in October, including a ban on Russian LNG imports starting in 2027 and restrictions on 117 additional vessels, bringing the total number of designated ships to 557. 

In response, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, condemned the measures, accusing Brussels of acting as a “global customs officer” and warning of consequences for the EU’s international standing. Moscow has expanded its list of EU officials and representatives barred from entering Russia, insisting that the sanctions will not alter its policy.

Master Mariner services at Brookes Bell

There is no substitute for experience, which is why Brookes Bell’s Master Mariner services are so sought after.

We employ a team of Master Mariners with an enormous amount of collective experience. It’s this experience that can help you solve disputes, improve your operations and processes, and guide you through even the most complex maritime disputes and litigation.

Contact our team today to see how we can help.

For more maritime industry insights, news and information, read the Brookes Bell News and Knowledge Hub…

A Brief History of the Suez Canal | The World's Largest Container Ships | The World's Biggest Container Shipping Companies