Oil Tanker Collision Highlights Risks of Russia’s Growing "Dark Fleet"
A collision between two oil tankers off Singapore on July 19 has put a fresh spotlight on the dangers posed by a recently enlarged fleet of vessels that are used to transport Russian oil in violation of Western sanctions.
The so-called "dark fleet" has grown rapidly since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as Moscow has sought to evade sanctions by using ships that do not use transponders or other tracking devices. This has made it more difficult for authorities to track the movement of Russian oil, and has increased the risk of accidents.
The collision off Singapore is just the latest in a series of incidents involving the dark fleet. In May, a dark fleet tanker was involved in a collision with a fishing vessel off the coast of Spain. In June, another dark fleet tanker was detained by Greek authorities for carrying Iranian oil in violation of sanctions.
The growing dark fleet is a major challenge for Western authorities, who are struggling to find ways to track and sanction Russian oil. It is also a threat to the global maritime order, as it undermines the safety and security of shipping lanes.
The collision off Singapore is a wake-up call for the international community. It is essential that we take action to address the threat posed by the dark fleet, and to ensure that Russian oil is not used to fund the war in Ukraine.
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