Publication date: October 10, 2025
A shadow fleet is a term used to describe vessels engaged in illegal operations aimed at circumventing sanctions, evading safety or environmental regulations, or avoiding insurance costs.[1] The term broadly refers to illegal practices occurring in the maritime sector.[2] Importantly, it is not just the cargo that is being concealed, but also the entire vessel transporting it—hence the term “shadow fleet” or “ghost fleet”. Currently, it is primarily used in the context of Russia’s efforts to circumvent sanctions. These sanctions were imposed by, among others, the EU and the United Kingdom and are a consequence of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.