Sanctioned Russian Tanker Takes Longer Route To India To Avoid UK Sanctions

A Russian oil tanker carrying crude to India is taking an unexpected detour around Scotland, avoiding the usual shortcut through the English Channel. The decision comes after the UK expanded its sanctions on Russia’s shadow fleet to choke off oil revenue that fuels the war in Ukraine.

The Aframax tanker Attica loaded 730,000 barrels of Urals crude at Russia’s Ust-Luga terminal in the Baltic Sea.

Normally, ships heading to the Mediterranean and beyond would pass between England and France, but the Attica is now sailing around the Shetland Islands instead.

This detour makes the journey about two days longer-roughly 25% more time at sea.

The tanker’s final destination is likely Vadinar, a key port on India’s west coast, but its signal currently shows Port Said in Egypt, a common stop for ships planning to go through the Suez Canal.

This route change isn’t a coincidence. On November 25, 2024, the UK announced its largest sanctions package yet, targeting 30 Russian oil tankers.

These ships are part of what’s known as the “shadow fleet”-vessels that transport Russian oil using questionable methods and often lack proper insurance.

The UK government hopes these measures will cut off a crucial source of income for Russia, making it harder for the Kremlin to fund its invasion of Ukraine.

They pointed out that half of the 30 sanctioned ships had carried over $4.3 billion worth of oil and products like gasoline in the past year. With this new round, the UK has now blacklisted a total of 73 oil tankers, more than any other country.

The sanctions go beyond just the ships. The UK is also targeting insurance companies that support these vessels, increasing pressure on Russia’s oil trade. The Foreign Secretary says these shadow fleet ships are often poorly maintained and pose serious risks to global trade.

“Many of these vessels ignore basic safety standards, increasing the chances of catastrophic oil spills,” the statement added.

India has become Russia’s biggest oil customer since Western countries banned most Russian imports after the Ukraine invasion. By taking a longer route, Attica shows how the sanctions are already complicating oil transport for Russia.

During a G7 meeting in Italy, the UK urged its partners to keep the pressure on Moscow. The Foreign Secretary also pushed for continued military and financial support for Ukraine.

He also discussed other global issues, such as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the need to address illegal migration.

The government pointed out that Moscow increasingly relies on countries like North Korea and Iran for military supplies. They even claim that Russia has brought in North Korean troops to support its invasion efforts.

References: Bloomberg, UK gov

Source: Maritime Shipping News