Russian Tanker Navigates English Channel
A Russian tanker, identified as part of the 'shadow fleet', has recently passed through the English Channel. This event is notable as it is the first time such a vessel has entered the waterway since British forces intercepted and boarded another tanker, the Smyrtos, earlier this week. Ship tracking information, reviewed by BBC Verify, indicates the Forwarder, a Russian-flagged vessel, entered the Channel on Wednesday evening, proceeding southbound. Its declared destination is Dongying port in China.
The 'shadow fleet' comprises over 700 aging tankers, often with undisclosed ownership, and is estimated by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to transport 75% of Russia's sanctioned oil.
Previous Interception and Avoidance Tactics
Following the boarding of the Smyrtos, which was sailing without a registered flag in violation of international law, other sanctioned 'shadow fleet' vessels had reportedly altered their routes to bypass the English Channel. Tracking data showed several such ships diverting around the west coast of Ireland. The Smyrtos is currently held by UK authorities off Weymouth, and its captain faces charges related to sanctions contravention.
The Forwarder itself has been subject to sanctions by the UK, US, and EU since 2022. It has undergone two name changes since the British government accused it of illicitly transporting Russian oil. Satellite imagery confirms the vessel departed Primorsk on June 12 after loading oil from what is Russia's largest Baltic Sea refinery and a crucial energy export hub.
Naval Presence and Expert Perspectives
A Royal Navy warship, HMS Tyne, reportedly operated in proximity to the Forwarder's location. There is also information suggesting Russia's Admiral Grigorovich warship is assigned to escort sanctioned oil tankers, although it remains unconfirmed if it is accompanying the Forwarder. The Admiral Grigorovich was involved in an incident earlier in the week, firing warning shots at a British yacht in the Channel.
Despite the UK Prime Minister's announcement in March that British forces could board sanctioned vessels in their waters not adhering to international law, experts do not anticipate an interception of the Forwarder. Frederik Van Lokeren, a maritime analyst and former Belgian naval officer, stated that directly targeting a Russian-flagged vessel, potentially with a Russian warship escort, would represent a significant escalation. Mark Douglas of marine intelligence firm Starboard highlighted that the Smyrtos's lack of nationality provided a clear legal basis for its boarding, a circumstance not present with the Russian-flagged Forwarder.
Prior to these recent events, BBC Verify had reported in May that nearly 200 'shadow fleet' vessels had transited the English Channel since the UK's policy change, with 94 instances involving brief entry into UK territorial waters.
Source: First Russian shadow fleet vessel enters Channel since Smyrtos boarding