With its recent 17th round of sanctions on Russia, the EU has cast a spotlight on Russia’s “shadow fleet” — a network of aging oil tankers illicitly transporting oil in circumvention of the G7’s price cap and, as recent events suggest, serving as a vector for hybrid conflict and sabotage. The targeted sanctions underscore the importance of corporate and maritime records in identifying the true beneficiaries and operational controllers of these vehicles. Apparent sabotage actions by shadow fleet vessels in the Baltic and North Seas earlier this year have escalated concerns, revealing how these operations could significantly impact European security and economic stability.
Sayari, with more than 7 billion corporate, trade, and maritime records, enables investigators and analysts to begin to peel back the layers of relationships that obscure these vessels’ ultimate owners and operators. In a joint analysis with Bright Bird A/S, a Danish risk management and analysis company, Sayari and Bright Bird examine how these records play a critical role in addressing the evolving nature of hybrid threats, sanctions evasion, and the inherent reputational risks driven by the shadow fleet and its opaque networks.
This report includes coverage of:
- The impact of the European Union’s latest sanctions on the shadow fleet, its vessels, and its operators;
- Operational risk indicators for stakeholders in maritime logistics, insurance, energy, and infrastructure security;
- Several case studies of recent incidents of apparent sabotage activity wherein Sayari and Bright Bird uncover key insights into relevant actors and potential leads; and
- The role that corporate and trade records play in shedding light on the shadow fleet and related networks.
