In one of the world’s busiest sea lanes, an oil tanker on sanctions lists has become a new test point in the pursuit of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet.”
Crossing the English Channel (the English Channel) is no longer just a navigational route between the two shores of Europe, but has become part of a broader confrontation over Russian oil, Western sanctions, and financing the war in Ukraine.
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In this context, the British Ministry of Defense announced the interception of the oil tanker SMYRTOS inside the English Channel, in an operation that it said was the first of its kind carried out by the British army against oil tankers linked to Russia.
According to the British statement, helicopters, warships, and members of the Royal Marines participated in the operation, along with the National Anti-Crime Agency, after the tanker entered the canal.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the operation as a blow to oil revenues that help finance the Russian war on Ukraine.
What does the navigation data say?
Navigational data monitored by the Al Jazeera Network’s open source unit showed that the tanker “Smertos” left the Russian port of Ust-Luga, carrying about 705,000 barrels of Russian oil, and was scheduled to head to the port of Port Said.
Navigational tracking data shows that the tanker continued its course from the Baltic Sea towards the English Channel, and was then intercepted after entering the region, in a development that reflects London’s move from a policy of sanctions to a more direct level of field oversight.
The tanker’s last recorded broadcast signal also shows its location off the British coast within the English Channel, before its usual navigational movement stopped after the interception.
The British government and the European Union include the tanker on sanctions lists, accusing it of participating in activities related to the transportation of Russian oil subject to Western restrictions, which – according to these accusations – contributes to undermining the security of Ukraine or destabilizing it.
Five tankers change course
The impact of the operation did not stop at the tanker “Smirtos” alone. After London announced its objection, navigation data showed a noticeable change in the behavior of a number of tankers listed on European sanctions lists.
The Open Source Unit monitored, through data from the Marine Traffic platform, at least 5 tankers modifying their routes or turning around before crossing the English Channel.
Among these tankers, 3 were coming from Russian ports before they turned or changed their course before approaching the canal, and they are: “Qasr” (QASR), “SONA”, and “MAINI”.
The data also showed that the tankers “LION 1” and “C Viking” turned around in the North Atlantic Ocean before heading east towards the crossing path through the English Channel.
European sanctions include the five tankers on their lists, accusing them of participating in the transportation of Russian oil subject to restrictions.
The turn does not necessarily mean that there is a declared decision by these ships to avoid the canal completely, but it reveals a navigational change coinciding with the British objection, and opens the door to a broader reading of the operation’s impact on the risk calculations of the “Shadow Fleet” tankers.
French operation
The British move came after a similar operation carried out by France on June 1 against the Tagor oil tanker in the Atlantic Ocean, which was coming from Russia.
French President Emmanuel Macron said that the operation took place with the support of several partners, including the United Kingdom, and in accordance with the law of the sea.
According to navigational data, the tanker “Tagore”, which bears the maritime identification number 9282481, left Russia on May 2, and was on its way to Cameroon.
The French Navy intercepted the tanker immediately after it left Norwegian waters, according to the last signal issued by the ship days before its interception.
The US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) includes the tanker on sanctions lists, because it is linked to the transport of shipments of Iranian oil, which is also subject to sanctions.
Moscow denounces…and Europe is tightening its noose
The French objection sparked a sharp Russian response, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying that Moscow considers these actions “illegal” and bordering on “international piracy,” adding that Russia is taking measures to ensure the safety of its cargo ships.
However, the French and British operations reveal, on the other hand, a change in the approach of a number of European countries towards the Russian “shadow fleet.”
After months of sanctions, legal listings, and tracking complex ownership structures, Europe appears closer to the stage of direct interception, inspection, and detention, especially when ships included in the sanctions lists enter sensitive sea lanes or areas subject to intense European supervision.
The “shadow fleet” is seen as one of the tools used by Moscow to maintain its oil exports, through ships flying different flags and operating within complex ownership and management networks, allowing to reduce the impact of Western sanctions on Russian oil revenues.
