Russian oil tankers at risk of ban in English Channel European Parliament prepares resolution

The European Parliament (EP) is drafting a resolution calling for new sanctions on tankers transporting Russian oil, including a proposal to ban these vessels from entering the English Channel.

The European Parliament also aims to call on other countries that oversee strategic straits to take measures to limit the passage of vessels carrying Russian oil, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

“The European Parliament urges EU member states, in close coordination with the United Kingdom, to implement measures prohibiting these tankers from entering the English Channel,” the document states. 

The document highlights that attempts by the EU and its partners to impose various caps and restrictions on the transportation of Russian oil have so far been unsuccessful.

The resolution is set to be put to a vote during the European Parliament’s session in Strasbourg at the end of November. It should be noted that EP resolutions are advisory and not legally binding, even for EU institutions.

Meanwhile, on October 17 Britain announced sanctions on 18 additional Russian oil tankers and four liquefied natural gas vessels, marking the largest set of sanctions to date against the so-called "shadow fleet".

According to the UK government, the "shadow fleet" employs illegal methods to bypass Western restrictions on Russian oil.

“Any party facilitating or supporting Russia’s harmful activities could be at risk of facing sanctions,” the government warned.

Russia has resisted Western attempts to curb its oil exports, and over the past year, there has been an increase in the number of tankers carrying cargo without regulation or insurance from mainstream Western providers.

The newly sanctioned 18 oil tankers will be prohibited from docking at UK ports and denied access to British maritime services, raising the total number of sanctioned Russian oil tankers to 43. Among the vessels are NS Bora, Atlas, and Moskovsky Prospect.

By Aghakazim Guliyev