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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION (2024/2885(RSP))

On EU actions against the Russian shadow fleets and ensuring a full enforcement of sanctions against Russia

B-10-2024-0163

on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group · Rapporteur: Ville Niinistö, Sergey Lagodinsky, Markéta Gregorová, Maria Ohisalo, Alice Kuhnke, Isabella Lövin, Pär Holmgren, Mārtiņš Staķis, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Virginijus Sinkevičius

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 4 Sept 2026

Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

Parliament expresses concern about the risks posed by Russia's shadow fleet of oil tankers to the environment and maritime safety, and condemns Russia for creating these risks. It calls for increased monitoring, an EU task force, emergency funding for oil spill response vessels, and stricter sanctions, including banning STS transfers and uninsured vessels. It also calls for a full ban on Russian fossil fuels and for engaging with non-EU countries to highlight risks.

Key points

  1. Calls on the Commission and EMSA to increase resources to monitor, audit and investigate vessels from Russian ports, and to establish an EU task force on the Russian shadow fleet.
  2. Calls for emergency funding to secure additional oil spill response vessels for EMSA.
  3. Welcomes steps in the 14th sanctions package and calls for strict implementation and synchronising EU listings with US and UK.
  4. Calls for identifying and listing shadow fleet tankers in upcoming sanctions packages, and for sanctioning all known tankers and owners, plus those breaching IMO conventions.
  5. Calls for banning STS transfers of Russian oil in EU waters and for banning oil tanker sales to countries facilitating trade with Russia.
  6. Calls for automatic sanctioning of vessels sailing through EU waters without known insurance, and for regular audits.
  7. Urges closing sanctions loopholes concerning Russian oil refined in non-EU countries, and reiterates call for full ban on Russian fossil fuels.
  8. Believes the EU should have a plan for phasing out all fossil fuel imports and use.
  9. Regrets that the EU increased LNG import capacity despite reducing gas demand.
  10. Calls for engaging with non-EU countries purchasing Russian oil to highlight risks.
  11. Urges the Commission to prepare penalties on states failing to uphold international standards and to propose a framework under UNCLOS Article 97.
  12. Encourages engagement with flag states to ensure adherence to measures and delisting of sanctioned vessels.

Who is affected

  • Russian shadow fleet operators and owners, who face increased sanctions and monitoring.
  • EU ship owners, who are condemned for involvement and face a ban on selling tankers to certain countries.
  • Non-EU countries purchasing Russian oil, who are to be engaged with on risks.
  • Flag states, who are urged to delist sanctioned vessels and ensure compliance.

Figures and deadlines

  • 70 % of Russian oil product exports by sea and 90 % of crude oil exports are carried by shadow fleet tankers.
  • Only 40 % of oil from a spill can be cleaned up by mechanical means.
  • 14 European Maritime Safety Agency oil spill response vessels exist.
  • 18 % reduction in gas demand between August 2022 and May 2024.
  • 12 new LNG terminals and six expansion projects were commissioned between 2022 and 2024.
  • LNG import capacity increased by 70 bcm to 284 bcm by the end of 2024.