Russian Navy escorts sanctioned tankers through English Channel, despite UK legal review allowing intervention against such vessels.
The Russian Navy escorted two 'shadow fleet' tankers listed on the sanctions list during their passage through the English Channel. This passage occurred despite the completion of a long-standing legal review in the UK, which indicated that the existing legislation provided sufficient grounds for intervention against such vessels.
The Russian Navy accompanied two 'shadow fleet' tankers listed on the sanctions list, which were fully loaded, during their passage through the English Channel. This passage took place despite the completion of a prolonged legal review in the UK, which pointed out that the current legislation allowed for the detention of such tankers.
Sanctioned tankers made the passage.
One of the tankers that made the passage was the Cameroonian-flagged Enigma (IMO 9333412), which loaded at Ust-Luga on March 21 and is subject to sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union, and the UK.
The second tanker was recorded as the Russian-flagged Universal (IMO 9384306) (formerly known as Vysotsk), which is also listed on the same sanctions lists.
Both vessels passed through the English Channel without incident, escorted by the Russian Navy's Admiral Grigorovich (F494) frigate.
British assets monitored from a distance.
During the passage, it was reported that no Royal Navy warships were present in the area; however, the RFA Tideforce (A139) tanker, belonging to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, accompanied the Russian convoy throughout the Channel crossing.
While Scandinavian countries have been intervening against sanctioned vessels in the Baltic Sea, it is known that the United States has taken similar steps against vessels connected to Venezuela and Cuba.
In contrast, it appears that 'shadow fleet' tankers often continue their navigation without obstruction, particularly at critical transit points such as the Malacca and Hormuz straits.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
