UK, EU to strengthen inspections of Russia’s dark fleet of tankers - media

This was reported to Bloomberg by sources familiar with the matter, as well as documents that came into the agency's possession, Ukrinform reports.

According to the report, several governments are expected approve the plan on the sidelines of a meeting of the European Political Community, which will be held by Prime Minister Keir Starmer in the UK on Thursday. They plan to share information about the Russian fleet, coordinate responses to the risks posed by its ships and intermediaries, and work with the private sector and other maritime stakeholders to address the threat, the statement said.

Officials and experts from different countries will form a group and hold meetings to urgently take concrete measures to this end.

Countries are trying to make it even more difficult for Russia to profit from its oil resources.

Russia's "dark fleet" poses a threat to the UK, EU, and others who depend on the world's seas and oceans. Many ships from the dark fleet are not insured and poorly maintained. Many of them are engaged in activities that violate basic standards and rules of safety and environmental protection, said the draft statement, which may still be amended before it is signed at the end of this week.

According to one of the sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, sanctions may be imposed against a larger number of ships from Russia’s "dark fleet" in the future.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, on June 13, the UK announced 50 new positions in the Russia sanctions list, including ships fromr the Russian "dark fleet".