Sanctioned tankers continue to exploit Arctic route to sustain Russian oil exports to China

Despite tightened Western sanctions, at least five ageing 'shadow fleet' tankers used the Arctic route this summer to deliver Russian oil to China, raising safety and environmental concerns while highlighting the continued flow of Russian crude via alternative shipping channels, write Bridget Diakun and Cichen Shen of Lloyd's List

With the arrival of summer, at least five shadow fleet* tankers were tracked transiting the Arctic route to deliver Russian oil to China, despite tightened Western sanctions. All of these vessels, built between 2003 and 2010, have been blocked by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control as part of Washington's unprecedented January 10 crackdown on Russian oil trade. Most are also subject to EU and UK sanctions.