Warnings Putin's ageing oil tankers could cause a 'catastrophic spill' in the Channel - London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com

"The Russian shadow fleet is a ticking environmental time bomb. The question isn't if there will be a catastrophic spill, it's when. Older tankers can suffer from metal fatigue, corroded hulls, and overall structural deterioration, significantly increasing the risk of structural failures at sea."

"Over 90 tankers believed to be part of the shadow fleet have passed by the British coast in the past year. Some of these vessels are up to 20 years old and operate under unclear ownership structures. Maritime intelligence firm Pole Star Global has warned that many of these ships are significantly older than those typically used by major energy companies."

"If one of these vessels were to experience a structural failure or ground in busy shipping lanes near the British coast, it could cause a major oil spill, releasing tens of thousands of tons of oil into the surrounding waters. The potential consequences would be severe for marine ecosystems, fishing grounds, and coastal communities."

Russia's shadow fleet comprises over 90 aging oil tankers that have passed British coasts in the past year, transporting crude oil despite Western sanctions following Ukraine's invasion. These vessels, some up to 27 years old, operate under unclear ownership and are significantly older than those used by major energy companies. Maritime intelligence firm Pole Star Global warns that older tankers suffer from metal fatigue, corroded hulls, and structural deterioration. While major oil firms avoid vessels older than 15 years and ships over 25 years are prohibited from British ports, investigators found shadow fleet tankers near the UK reaching 27 years old. A catastrophic structural failure or grounding could release tens of thousands of tons of oil, severely impacting marine ecosystems, fishing grounds, and coastal communities.

Read at London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com