Denmark Cracks Down on Russian-linked Shadow Tankers in Baltic Sea

Denmark has taken a significant step in cracking down on Russian-linked shadow tankers passing through its waters. The Danish Maritime Authority will now carry out port state controls on tankers deemed high risk who anchor off Skagen in the far north of the country, a popular anchorage. Ships found with safety defects or lacking the necessary documentation or insurance risk being detained.

Background

Denmark has been at the forefront of discussions among littoral states around the Baltic Sea in finding ways to clamp down on ageing tankers carrying Russian oil. This move comes after a series of accidents and incidents involving these vessels, including the severing of cables in the region.

Russia sends about a third of its seaborne oil exports through the Danish straits, with a significant number of these ships having unknown insurance. Approximately 175 tankers laden with Russian oil transit the Baltic each month, according to Craig Kennedy, who runs the Navigating Russia substack.

Sanctions and Concerns

The number of vessels hit by sanctions surpassed 1,000 late last year, with over 800 of these ships lacking confirmed insurance. Moreover, the average age of sanctioned ships, at 21 years, is significantly older than the global average, raising concerns about potential environmental disasters.

Last September, Danish authorities banned 27 Russian-linked ships from calling at local ports or anchorages. In December, Denmark joined eight other European nations in demanding insurance details from Russian-linked ships passing through their waters.

Security Measures

Recent attacks on seabed gas pipelines, power cables, and fiber optic cables in the Baltic Sea region have raised concerns. NATO has established Baltic Sentry, a naval protection operation, in response to these incidents. Denmark is actively involved in this operation.

Additionally, the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) has activated an advanced UK-led reaction system called Nordic Warden to monitor potential threats to undersea infrastructure and track the Russian shadow fleet. The system uses AI to assess data from various sources and identify risks posed by vessels entering key areas of interest.

International Response

A joint statement from the heads of state or government of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Sweden expressed concerns about Russia’s use of the shadow fleet, citing threats to maritime and environmental security in the Baltic Sea region and globally.

Technological Solutions

In related news, tech firm Windward has launched its Critical Maritime Infrastructure Protection solution. This AI-powered solution aims to safeguard essential maritime infrastructure, including cables, pipelines, and rigs, against growing threats. CEO of Windward, Ami Daniel, highlighted the importance of defending stakeholders from potential undersea infrastructure sabotage.

As Denmark continues to enhance its measures against Russian-linked shadow tankers in the Baltic Sea, the global maritime community remains vigilant in protecting vital maritime infrastructure and ensuring environmental security in the region.