News Analysis
Russia has been growing its so-called shadow shipping fleet for several years but concerns have escalated in the last few months after some of them were linked to a series of incidents involving undersea infrastructure.
Germany, Britain, and 10 other European countries agreed in December on measures to “disrupt and deter” Russia’s shadow fleet.
“The shadow fleet presents risks to the environment, maritime safety and security, international seaborne trade, as well as international maritime law and standards. It also works to circumvent our sanctions and soften their impact,” the countries said in a joint statement.
But what is the shadow fleet, why does Russia need it, and can it be disrupted without breaking the international laws of the sea?…