Rogue tankers in Singapore: What are shadow fleets and who uses them?

"Ageing ships flying false flags are used to avoid Western sanctions on Russian, Iranian and Venezuelan oil. Singapore has reported a growing number of rogue or shadow fleet tankers operating off its shores in and around one of the world's busiest maritime corridors. According to Lloyd's List Intelligence data cited by international maritime authorities, at least 27 such ships transited the Singapore Strait in early December, with another 130 clustered nearby around Indonesia's Riau Archipelago."

"While traffic through the strait remains dense and appears outwardly routine more than 80,000 vessels pass through it each year ship-spotters and analysts say the profile of some of the ships using these waters has recently changed. Conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East has sparked a surge in Western sanctions on oil exports from countries such as Russia and Iran. The European Commission and the United States Trump administration have both recently renewed or extended sanctions against Venezuelan oil, as well."

"The Maritime and Port Authority monitors vessel movements within Singaporean waters. But international law limits what action it can take once ships move into the high seas in effect, international waters allowing shadow fleets to thrive in regulatory grey zones. In recent weeks, suspect shipping activity has been noted just beyond Singapore's territorial waters roughly 22.2 kilometres from its coast in international waters, just outside of the city state's law enforcement reach."

A growing number of ageing, false-flagged tankers are operating as a shadow fleet near the Singapore Strait to move sanctioned oil from Russia, Iran and Venezuela. Data indicate at least 27 transited the strait in early December, with about 130 clustered near Indonesia's Riau Archipelago. The Singapore Strait carries a large share of global trade and is almost unavoidable for many tankers, while more than 80,000 vessels pass annually. International law restricts enforcement beyond territorial waters, allowing suspect activity roughly 22.2 kilometres offshore in high seas where regulators have limited reach.

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