UAE bans Russia’s shadow fleet tankers from entering its ports

The United Arab Emirates has banned Russia’s shadow fleet of tankers from entering its ports, Bloomberg reports. This includes vessels that sail under the flags of the African country of Eswatini. Ships from Cameroon have also previously been banned.

“Vessels sailing under both flags have transported oil for Moscow after it assembled a shadow fleet of ships to help keep sanctioned supplies moving,” the journalists write.

These restrictions are outlined in a government circular on the Port of Fujairah’s website. From now on, these ships are not allowed to enter UAE ports or use the country’s territorial waters.

“The United Arab Emirates banned arriving ships that carry the flag of landlocked African nation Eswatini, the latest sign of the Middle East nation distancing itself from risky vessels that help haul Russian oil supplies,” the report states.

Eswatini, formerly Swaziland, is a new player in this market. In 2023, there were no ships flagged under it, but now there are no less than 26 ships, although not all are tankers, according to the world’s largest shipbroker, Clarkson Research Services Ltd.

The question of the ultimate ownership of at least 16 ships under the Eswatini flag remains very murky.  There is evidence that some of these tankers, frequently in a dangerous and deteriorated condition, have transported oil taken from Russia and Iran, according to Bloomberg reports.

The shadow fleet refers to vessels involved in illegal operations to circumvent sanctions, avoiding safety or environmental regulations and evading insurance costs, according to UK officials. In July, London brought together 44 countries and the European Union to a summit of the European Political Community to counter the activities of this dubious shadow fleet.