Forty ships accused of belonging to a shadow fleet that moves sanctioned oil for Venezuela and other nations were reflagged to Russia last year, according to analysis by shipping intelligence publication Lloyds List. The reflagging is seen as an attempt to gain Kremlin protection from American seizure.

Lloyds List analysis indicates that at least 17 of these suspicious vessels joined the Russian registry in the past month, a significant increase compared to the 15 ships that did so in the previous five months of 2025. The trend highlights a growing effort to circumvent international sanctions using tactics that leverage national registries.

The practice of reflagging ships is not new, but its increased use by vessels involved in sanctioned oil trade raises concerns about the effectiveness of current enforcement mechanisms. Reflagging involves changing a ship's country of registration, which can alter its legal status and oversight. In this case, the move to the Russian registry potentially shields these vessels from seizure by countries enforcing sanctions, such as the United States.

The "shadow fleet" itself is a network of older tankers, often operating with obscured ownership, that facilitates the transport of oil from countries facing sanctions, such as Venezuela and Iran. These vessels often employ tactics to avoid detection, including disabling tracking systems and engaging in ship-to-ship transfers of oil at sea.

The implications of this trend are far-reaching. By providing a safe haven for these vessels, Russia may be undermining international efforts to enforce sanctions and limit the revenue streams of sanctioned nations. This could have a destabilizing effect on global energy markets and geopolitical relations.

The U.S. Coast Guard recently escorted the Marinera, an oil tanker formerly known as the Bella 1 before its switch to Russian registration, in North Atlantic waters. This action underscores the ongoing efforts by the U.S. to monitor and potentially intercept vessels involved in illicit activities.

The rise in reflagging to Russia suggests a need for increased international cooperation and more sophisticated tracking and enforcement mechanisms. Experts suggest that further analysis of ownership structures and financial transactions associated with these vessels is crucial to identifying and disrupting the shadow fleet's operations. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing monitoring and potential policy responses expected from various international bodies and governments.