Warnings Putin’s ageing oil tankers could cause a ‘catastrophic spill’ in the Channel

Experts have raised concerns that Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” of ageing oil tankers, which are used to evade Western sanctions, could pose a significant environmental risk in waters around Britain.

This covert network of vessels, linked to oil exports from Russia, is transporting crude oil to international buyers despite the restrictions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine.

According to an analysis reported by the i newspaper, 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, which increases the risk of structural failures at sea.

Saleem Khan, the company’s chief data officer, noted that older tankers can suffer from metal fatigue, corroded hulls, and overall structural deterioration.

He said: “The Russian shadow fleet is a ticking environmental time bomb. The question isn’t if there will be a catastrophic spill, it’s when.”

Major oil firms generally avoid operating vessels older than 15 years, while ships that are more than 25 years old are prohibited from entering British ports due to safety concerns. Nevertheless, investigators have found that some tankers linked to Russia’s sanctions-evading network sailing near the UK are believed to be as old as 27 years.

Experts warn that 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.

Pole Star Global estimates that approximately £6.8 billion worth of Russian oil has been transported through UK coastal and international waters in the past year using vessels associated with the shadow fleet.

Globally, Russia is expected to earn around £174 billion from fossil fuel exports in 2025, providing a crucial financial lifeline for the Kremlin as it continues to fund its war in Ukraine.