The European Union wants to make agreements with various countries. These agreements would allow the control of shadow fleet vessels. Maritime law expert Alexander Lott says that the plan is still unclear. He asks whether the plan also includes ship inspections and questioning of crew members.
Lott talks about how any boarding of a ship is disciplinary. But the agreements could also allow more procedural actions. Such agreements are not new. For example, America has used them to control weapons of mass destruction.
Prime Minister Kristen Michal says that the European Union is the right place to make these agreements. He talks about how Europe has a great influence on other countries, such as through visa policy and trade assistance.
Michal says that continuous work could reduce the number of flag of convenience countries. But this does not mean that the shadow fleet problem will disappear immediately. Expert Alexander Lott adds that shadow fleet vessels can change flags if there is no agreement with the European Union.
Therefore, it is necessary to fight the shadow fleet with other means as well. Michal says that the European Union is trying to create an operational notification network. This could eventually reach the level of NATO.
Security expert Rainer Saks says that stronger sanctions need to be imposed on the shadow fleet. This would make selling oil to Russia more expensive and inconvenient. Although new ways to circumvent sanctions are found, it still hinders Russia's income.