MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Follow-up to the Parliament resolution concerning targeted measures against the Russian shadow fleet – P-000201/2025(ASW)

Under Council Decision 2014/512/CFSP[1] and Regulation (EU) 833/2014[2], the EU may designate specific vessels for their contribution to Russia’s warfare against Ukraine, including vessels that are part of Russia’s shadow fleet, which seeks to circumvent the EU and Price Cap Coalition’s caps while engaging in deceptive and high-risk shipping practices contrary to international standards. Such vessels are subject to a port access ban and a ban on provision of services.

To date, the EU has designated a total of 153 vessels as part of the 14^th, 15th and 16th sanctions packages[3]^,[4]^,[5] adopted in response to Russia’s war against Ukraine.

The Commission is continuously monitoring the developments relating to vessels belonging to Russia’s shadow fleet as part of its efforts to combat the circumvention of the EU’s Russia sanctions. It has also reached out to third countries providing flagging services to these vessels raising concerns of environmental protection and maritime safety.

All decisions on EU sanctions are taken unanimously by Member States in the Council, including decisions on the sanctioning of vessels.

• [1] OJ L 229, 31.7.2014, p. 13-17, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dec/2014/512/oj/eng
• [2] OJ L 229, 31.7.2014, p. 1-11, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2014/833/oj/eng
• [3] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/06/24/russia-s-war-of-aggression-against-ukraine-comprehensive-eu-s-14th-package-of-sanctions-cracks-down-on-circumvention-and-adopts-energy-measures/
• [4] https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/news/eu-adopts-15th-sanctions-package-against-russia-its-continued-illegal-war-against-ukraine-2024-12-16_en
• [5] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_585