German and French lawmakers are calling for additional measures against Russia’s “shadow fleet” of 300-600 tankers used to smuggle oil for export.
An agreement that will result in the increased control and detention of suspect vessels is expected to be adopted on Monday during a meeting of the German-French Parliamentary Assembly.
The draft also includes a requirement for additional diplomatic efforts aimed at the countries where the Russian shadow fleet vessels are registered, according to the German broadcaster Deutsche Welle.
German parties across the political spectrum are supporting the effort to crack down on contraband Russian ships, Deutsche Welle said.
Moscow’s shadow fleet poses significant environmental and security risks, according to the agreement.
“Many tankers are old, poorly maintained, and do not meet international standards,” Deutsche Welle reported. “In addition, individual vessels are used for sabotage or espionage.”
German officials said the fleet is used to provide funds to the Russian state treasury to finance the Kremlin’s ongoing war against Ukraine and poses a security threat to the West.
“The Russian shadow fleet threatens not only the effectiveness of our sanctions, but also the security of Europe and our critical infrastructure. We must respond to this together,” Jurgen Hardt, a foreign policy adviser to to Germany’s ruling right-of-center coalition, told Deutsche Welle.
Germany last seized a suspected Russian shadow fleet vessel in March 2025. The Eventin was carrying more than 100,000 tons of crude oil on its voyage from Russia to Egypt when the engine failed, killing the ship’s ability to move.
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