UK can legally stop shadow fleet tankers, ministers believe
BBC••general
Key Points:
- The UK government has identified a legal basis under the Sanctions and Money Laundering Act 2018 to allow its military to board and detain vessels in "shadow fleets" operating without valid national flags to evade sanctions.
- Shadow fleets, linked to countries like Russia, Iran, and Venezuela, are accused of transporting oil in violation of sanctions, with the UK and allies having imposed sanctions on over 500 such vessels and forced around 200 off the seas.
- British forces recently assisted the US in seizing the Marinera oil tanker, accused of carrying sanctioned oil, marking increased military cooperation and signaling a ramp-up in UK actions against these vessels.
- Defence Secretary John Healey emphasized that UK actions comply with international law and highlighted ongoing efforts
