London, United Kingdom. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s decision last month to allow the British military to board ships of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” has shown no clear impact on the number of sanctioned vessels passing through UK waters, according to a Reuters analysis.
Sanctioned vessel transits continue at similar levels
In the month after Starmer’s March 25 threat, at least 98 Russian vessels subject to UK sanctions transited UK waters, about the same number as in each of the previous three months.
There has been no announcement of any boarding or detention of the ships, which typically have opaque ownership structures and can transport oil, grains and arms, often in support of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Routes through the English Channel and UK Exclusive Economic Zone
LSEG tracking data showed 63 ships passed within 12 nautical miles of the coastline in the English Channel, the most direct route between the Baltic Sea and southern Europe.
Another 35 travelled through Britain’s Exclusive Economic Zone, which extends up to 200 nautical miles from the coast, mainly around north Scotland.
Expert criticism and comparisons with other European countries
“You have to quickly follow up with boardings or otherwise those vessels will conclude that it was an empty threat — and that is the regrettable situation we are in now,” said Elisabeth Braw, a maritime security expert at the Washington-based Atlantic Council.
Other European countries, including France, Belgium and Sweden, have in recent months boarded and detained Russian “shadow fleet” vessels.
Defence ministry response and naval capacity
Britain’s Ministry of Defence did not respond to a request for comment on its relative inaction.
Once a fabled sea power, Britain’s navy is the smallest it has been since the 17th century, yet its military is facing requests from allies to support operations in eastern Europe, the Arctic and the Middle East.
UK sanctions list
London has 544 vessels linked to Russia’s “shadow fleet” on its sanctions list.
What measures, if any, should the UK take next to enforce its sanctions on Russia’s “shadow fleet”?
