European states require shadow fleet vessels to fly the same flag

A group of 14 coastal states of the Baltic and North Seas requires ships to fly the flag of one state. About it says in a joint letter published by the UK Department for Transport.

The document also states that "in order to maintain and strengthen maritime security in the Baltic and North Sea region," ships must have valid documentation, safety and insurance certificates, and comply with international rules of maritime safety, marine pollution prevention, rules of navigation and international maritime law.

Vessels that use multiple flags or do not comply with these requirements will be banned.

The letter also notes that disruptions in global navigation satellite systems, particularly in the Baltic Sea region, originate from the Russian Federation and pose a risk to all ships. Such disruptions affect not only navigation but also safety systems, including the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System.

The appeal was signed by Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Iceland.

• january 15, The Wall Street Journal reportedreported that since the beginning of January, at least 15 tankers of the "shadow fleet" involved in the transportation of sanctioned oil have changed their flags to Russian ones.
• january 22, Bloomberg saidthe report said that new tankers from Greece joined Russia's "shadow fleet" for the first time.