The G7 abroad Ministers Summit will be held next week in Quebec. Prior to the meeting, members of the group effort to agree a joint message on maritime safety. The United States is pushing for a sharper message towards China and softening rhetoric towards Russia. In addition to vetoing Canada's proposal, Washington demanded the removal of the word "sanctions" and the replacement of the phrase "the ability of Russia to proceed the war" "the ability to make revenue". The G7 Communication is not final until it is issued by consensus.
In February, the G7 group, which besides includes the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Japan, did not issue a joint message on the 3rd anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine due to US opposition to the strong condemnation of Russia.
There have previously been reports that European countries are discussing a plan that would let acquisition of oil tankers from the Russian shadow fleet in the Baltic Sea under the pretext of combating environmental violations or piracy. These proposals supply for the usage of global law to hold ships. EU countries could besides act independently or in cooperation with each another by introducing national requirements that would let them to keep suspicious tankers even outside their territorial waters, they note the sources of POLITICO.
The EU has repeatedly pointed out risk of ecological disaster due to Russia's active usage of obsolete oil tankers. At least 9 cases have already been identified where ships carrying Russian energy resources have left oil stains extending over tens of kilometres.
In December 12 North European countries agreed to introduce insurance checks on Russian tankers. Although ships are not obliged to halt in case of specified a requirement, refuseers will be included in the database: their presence in the database may be grounds for imposing sanctions. Denmark, on the another hand, has ordered the inspection of suspicious vessels that may pose a threat to shipping and the environment.
According to Lloyd’s List Intelligence and Kiev School of Economics estimates, The Russian shadow fleet consists of more than 600 tankers. They carry around 70% of the oil exported by sea. Many of them do not have information about ownership and insurance.
