Australia

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The Australian government has imposed sanctions on 60 vessels linked to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet”*, as the country’s prime minister Anthony Albanese joined G7 leaders in condemning Moscow’s war on Ukraine.

It marks the first time Canberra has directly penalised ships helping Moscow skirt wide-ranging economic curbs resulting from the Ukraine invasion, which Russia calls a “special military operation”.

In a June 18 statement, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the blacklisted ships, which often disable their tracking systems and register under flags of convenience, are being used to enable the illicit trading of Russian oil and other sanctioned goods.

“Russia uses these vessels to circumvent international sanctions and sustain its illegal and immoral war against Ukraine,” she said, adding that Australia remained committed to ensuring Russia faces consequences.

The sanctions reinforce similar restrictions unveiled recently by Canada, the UK and the European Union that seek to starve Russia’s military of revenue from oil trade.

All these 60 vessels have already been designated under various Western sanctions regimes, including those of the EU, UK, Canada and the US, with most appearing on multiple lists.

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