The port of Rotterdam, one of Europe’s busiest maritime hubs, is on high alert as it deals with the growing presence of Russian shadow ships attempting to circumvent sanctions. Since the European Union imposed restrictions on Russian-flagged vessels in April 2022, authorities have observed a surge in shadow fleet activity—aging, uninsured vessels that transport Russian oil while obscuring their movements. These ships frequently change names, flags, and ownership, often disabling their AIS (Automatic Identification System) to avoid detection. The Rotterdam Harbour Master, in coordination with the Coastguard and Customs, is playing a critical role in ensuring these vessels do not gain access to the port.
The Harbour Master’s Division of the Port of Rotterdam Authority (DHMR) has established stringent measures to prevent sanctioned vessels from entering the port. Russian-flagged ships are automatically classified as sanctioned, while vessels under other flags with a prior port of call in Russia face scrutiny if they are carrying Russian cargo not covered by exemption rules, such as LNG. If a ship’s cargo status is unclear, it is held outside the port until Customs determines its compliance. This process ensures that all incoming vessels adhere to EU sanctions before they are granted permission to dock.
With around 28,000 seagoing vessels calling at Rotterdam annually, the port’s admission policy requires extensive documentation from ships before entry. Authorities track key details, including vessel size, cargo type, expected arrival and departure times, and previous ten ports of call. This rigorous system allows DHMR to flag any ship with links to Russian trade and refer it to the Coastguard for further assessment. The 14th and 15th EU sanctions packages have already placed 79 shadow ships on the sanctions list, barring them from European ports, but enforcement remains a cat-and-mouse game.
The shadow fleet’s covert operations create significant safety and environmental risks. These vessels frequently conduct ship-to-ship oil transfers at sea, a high-risk practice that, if mismanaged, could trigger devastating oil spills. The absence of proper insurance and regulatory oversight makes them even more hazardous. Several incidents have already been reported in Rotterdam’s approach area, where shadow fleet vessels have switched off their AIS, increasing the likelihood of collisions in the congested maritime corridor.
To counter these risks, DHMR relies on real-time intelligence from the Coastguard and Customs. When a suspicious vessel is identified, authorities evaluate its compliance with sanctions, scrutinizing its cargo, ownership records, and recent travel history. This multi-agency collaboration ensures that the port of Rotterdam remains aligned with EU regulations while mitigating potential safety threats.
As Russia continues to exploit loopholes to sustain its maritime trade, the Harbour Master’s vigilant oversight serves as a critical line of defense against unauthorized shipping activity. With the shadow fleet’s tactics constantly evolving, Rotterdam’s enforcement efforts will need to remain equally agile to maintain security and regulatory compliance in one of the world’s most strategic shipping gateways.
