Denmark Increases Crackdown on Russian Shadow Tankers

Denmark has escalated efforts to curb the movement of Russian-linked shadow tankers navigating its waters, implementing stricter controls to enhance maritime security.

The Danish Maritime Authority has announced plans to conduct port state inspections on high-risk tankers anchoring off Skagen, a well-known northern anchorage. Ships found lacking proper documentation, insurance, or with safety violations may face detainment.

Denmark has been at the forefront of discussions among Baltic littoral states, exploring measures to regulate aging tankers transporting Russian oil, following multiple accidents and infrastructure damage in the region.

Approximately one-third of Russia’s seaborne oil exports transit through the Danish Straits, with an estimated one in three of these tankers having unknown insurance coverage. Craig Kennedy, who runs the Navigating Russia substack, reports that about 175 Russian oil tankers pass through the Baltic each month.

The total number of sanctioned vessels exceeded 1,000 by the end of last year. Data from S&P Global Market Intelligence suggests that over 800 of these ships lack confirmed insurance. Additionally, the average age of these vessels—21 years—is significantly older than the global fleet average, increasing fears of potential environmental disasters due to poor maintenance.

In September 2024, Danish authorities barred 27 Russian-affiliated vessels from local ports and anchorages. By December, Denmark joined nine European nations surrounding the Baltic and North Sea in enforcing stricter regulations, including mandatory insurance disclosures for Russian-linked tankers passing through their waters.

Over the past months, seabed gas pipelines, power lines, and fiber optic cables in the Baltic Sea have been deliberately severed—most likely by merchant vessels dragging anchors—prompting NATO to establish Baltic Sentry, a dedicated naval security operation.

Denmark is playing a role in Baltic Sentry, which utilizes frigates, submarines, maritime patrol aircraft, and drones to monitor maritime threats.

In a parallel initiative, the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) activated the UK-led Nordic Warden operation to track undersea infrastructure threats and Russian-linked tankers. This program leverages AI-driven analytics to evaluate Automatic Identification System (AIS) data, helping determine risks posed by vessels entering sensitive areas.

Certain shadow fleet vessels have been flagged for continuous monitoring, allowing authorities to track their movements and assess any potential threats in real time. Alerts generated by the system are shared with NATO allies, including Denmark, to maintain coordinated security efforts.

Currently, 22 critical maritime zones, such as the English Channel, North Sea, Kattegat, and Baltic Sea, are being monitored from JEF’s operational headquarters in the UK, where personnel from all 10 JEF member nations collaborate on security efforts.

Last month, heads of state and government officials from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Sweden issued a joint statement warning of the growing risks posed by Russia’s shadow fleet:

"Russia’s use of the so-called shadow fleet poses a particular threat to maritime and environmental security in the Baltic Sea region and globally. This reprehensible practice also threatens the integrity of undersea infrastructure, increases risks connected to sea-dumped chemical munitions, and significantly supports funding of Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine."

In related news, London-listed tech firm Windward has launched the Critical Maritime Infrastructure Protection solution, a first-of-its-kind AI-driven system designed to safeguard global maritime infrastructure such as cables, pipelines, and offshore platforms against emerging threats.

Ami Daniel, CEO of Windward, emphasized the economic and strategic impact of undersea infrastructure vulnerabilities:

"The economic and geopolitical implications of undersea infrastructure sabotage are staggering. Beyond the immediate disruptions, national stability and financial implications for businesses relying on cables for connectivity and operational continuity are immense. While recent incidents remain under investigation, the growing risks—whether accidental or intentional—underscore the urgent need for advanced monitoring. With our Critical Maritime Infrastructure Protection solution, we aim to defend all stakeholders from this new kind of warfare."

Denmark’s proactive measures, alongside NATO and European allies, aim to reinforce maritime security and prevent potential environmental disasters, as the region grapples with the complex challenges posed by Russia’s shadow fleet.