A group of 36 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have issued a formal letter to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, urging immediate action to block the sale of Greek-owned vessels to Russian interests, according to Tovima.
The move comes amid growing concerns that these transactions are fuelling the expansion of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” which is used to circumvent international sanctions and sustain the flow of Russian oil exports.
The MEPs’ appeal highlights the substantial financial gains made by Greek shipowners - estimated at around $4 billion - from selling older tankers to Russian entities. Once transferred, these vessels are typically reflagged and continue operating in global waters, often transporting sanctioned Russian oil through ship-to-ship transfers and other evasive practices.
The shadow fleet’s operations have drawn increasing scrutiny due to their tendency to sail without proper insurance and safety checks. Many vessels engage in clandestine activities designed to obscure their origin and cargo, raising alarms among European lawmakers and maritime watchdogs.
While the European Union has already blacklisted 153 vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet, it has not yet imposed an outright ban on the sale or transfer of tankers to Russian ownership. Current EU regulations only require that such transactions be reported to national authorities and await approval—a loophole that critics say is being exploited.
In their letter, the MEPs called on the Greek government to adopt stricter national measures to prevent these sales and align with broader EU efforts to tighten economic pressure on Moscow.
Greece plays a key role in global shipping, and its fleet is one of the largest in the world. As such, decisions made in Athens have far-reaching implications for the enforcement of maritime sanctions and the effectiveness of international efforts to restrict Russia’s oil revenue.
The letter is the latest in a series of diplomatic and political efforts aimed at closing loopholes in the sanctions regime, as European leaders continue to search for ways to weaken Russia’s ability to fund its military operations.
You can read the full letter here.
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