EMEA News
UK Detains Alleged Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker
The UK has detained a tanker suspected of being involved with the Russian shadow fleet for the first time.
British armed forces boarded the 106,900 DWT tanker Smyrtos in international waters in the English Channel on Sunday, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement on its website.
The detention was carried out on the legal basis of UNCLOS Article 110, which gives a right to board vessels suspected of being stateless. Shipping intelligence service VesselsValue lists the Smyrtos as being registered to the Cameroon flag, but many shadow fleet vessels have been found to be flying flags without proper registration.
The ship will be moved to an anchorage off the south coast of England and be monitored for any environmental or safety concerns.
"This operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fueling Putin’s war in Ukraine that they cannot hide," Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in the statrement.
"I want to pay tribute to all those involved, including our Armed Forces and law enforcement officers who keep this country safe 24 hours a day, 365 days a year."
While the UK has sanctioned almost 600 suspected Russian shadow fleet vessels, until now it has gone as far as detaining them as they pass through the English Channel. The government announced in March that from then on it would do so.
Key Bunker Prices More
| VLSFO | MGO | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $/mt | +/- | $/mt | +/- | |
| Singapore | 892.50 | 3.00 | 1247.50 | 33.50 |
| Rotterdam | 735.00 | 20.00 | 1368.50 | 5.50 |
| Houston | 757.50 | 5.50 | 1393.50 | 26.00 |
| Fujairah | 973.00 | 5.50 | 1677.00 | 17.50 |
| EMEA Average | 890.00 | 4.50 | 1697.00 | 4.50 |
| Global 20 Ports Average | 887.50 | 8.00 | 1516.50 | 32.00 |
| Global 4 Ports Average | 839.50 | 6.00 | 1421.50 | 21.00 |
| Global Average Bunker Price | 944.00 | 15.50 | 1584.50 | 8.00 |
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