There’s a shadowy fleet of so-called “ghost ships” that are slipping under the radar, moving Russian oil to ports in China and India. This situation has triggered some serious trade tensions with Washington, especially as high-stakes negotiations are ongoing with both countries.
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump announced that India has agreed to curtail its practice of buying discounted Russian crude oil, which it then re-exports globally. This is critical since it helps keep money flowing into Moscow’s wartime economy.
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Trump has leaned on tariffs as a way to pressurize India, positioning it as part of a wider plan to hold countries accountable for trade practices that undermine Western sanctions.
He mentioned that while halting oil exports cannot happen overnight, the process will wrap up soon enough.
At the core of his argument is the secretive fleet of unmarked tankers—aka “ghost ships”—that continue to transport Russian oil in defiance of sanctions from the G7 and the EU imposed after the Kremlin’s actions in Ukraine.
According to Benjamin Jensen, director at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in DC, this shadow fleet allows Russia to dodge many parts of the sanctions that target its energy exports. He highlights that energy is vital for the Kremlin, funding everything from new soldier contracts to weapon production.
Jensen emphasizes that countries buying sanctioned oil are essentially aiding Russia in the war effort.
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Despite the U.S. sanctions, China remains the primary purchaser of Iranian oil and places second in buying Russian crude, mostly through these elusive “ghost ships.”
The Trump administration is focusing on this invisible maritime network, aiming to clamp down on those supporting the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine.
Jensen notes the various strategies the “ghost fleet” uses to sidestep U.S. sanctions.
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These vessels often sail under foreign flags to hide their roots, frequently rename themselves, transfer ownership through shell companies, shut off their tracking systems, and even change loads mid-ocean.
Jensen illustrates it: one ship heads out, meets another in international waters, and swaps its cargo, allowing it to carry on without a trace.
In some cases, the crew might unwittingly transport the illegal oil, Jensen adds.
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This year, German authorities seized the 19-year-old tanker named “Eventin” after it malfunctioned in the Baltic Sea. This vessel had previously been identified as a transporter of Russian crude.
Authorities discovered that the Panama-flagged ship, which had also been called “Charvi” and “Storviken,” was loaded with 99,000 tons worth about $45 million in Russian oil.
Jensen believes that, while some vessels are getting caught, a coordinated effort across multiple agencies is vital for tackling this issue.
He said that combining intelligence, law enforcement, and departments like Commerce and Treasury is crucial, enabling better partnerships internationally to interfere with these shipping operations and ensure Russia faces more challenges in evading sanctions.
While eliminating all oil smuggling is unfeasible, Jensen asserts it can be made much harder to execute.
Yet he cautions that the problem extends beyond just China’s or Iran’s interests; many countries have players who see a profit in ghost ship operations, making it increasingly tempting to turn a blind eye.
Original article source:A secret fleet of ghost ships moving Russia s oil could soon enter Trump s crosshairs
