Ukraine urges UN Security Council to tighten sanctions on shadow fleet

Ukraine has called for stronger sanctions against Russia’s shadow fleet. State Secretary of Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Oleksandr Karasevych made the appeal during a high-level open debate at the UN Security Council on emerging technologies and maritime security, USM reports.

Ukraine’s appeal

Karasevych said targeted sanctions should apply to individuals, companies and vessels involved in evading restrictions on Russian oil and petroleum products, as well as in illegally exporting grain from temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories.

“We call for targeted sanctions to be introduced, maintained and strengthened,” Karasevych said.

Ukraine also called for stronger international monitoring, information sharing and coordination to protect freedom of navigation. The European Union has sanctioned approximately 670 vessels, while Ukraine has imposed restrictions on 255 captains.

Possible US sanctions relief

Washington is considering allowing certain sanctioned vessels to carry oil and petroleum products that are not themselves subject to US sanctions, Holovne v Ukraini reports, citing Reuters.

The proposal would not permit the transport of sanctioned Russian or Iranian oil. Companies seeking to use such vessels would have to apply separately for authorisation from the US Treasury Department. Ship insurers would still have to comply with European Union and United Kingdom sanctions rules.