The Australian Government on Wednesday (18 June) said it has imposed targeted sanctions on 60 vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet.

This is the first time Australia has imposed sanctions against the shadow fleet.

“Russia uses these vessels to circumvent international sanctions and sustain its illegal and immoral war against Ukraine,” said Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in a statement. 

“Operating under deceptive practices, including flag-hopping, disabling tracking systems, and operating with inadequate insurance, the shadow fleet enables the illicit trade of Russian oil and other sanctioned goods.”

Wong said these sanctions reinforced Australia’s consistent commitment to ensuring Russia, and those enabling its illegal invasion of Ukraine, face consequences.

Alongside those of key international partners, including Canada, the United Kingdom and the European Union, these sanctions help starve the Russian war economy of oil revenue.

Australia has imposed over 1,400 sanctions in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. 

“We will continue to take coordinated and decisive action to protect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and disrupt Russia’s ability to fund its aggression,” she said. 

“Australia once again calls on Russia to immediately end this war and withdraw from Ukrainian territory. We remain steadfast in our support for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine.”

Photo credit: Dan Freeman on Unsplash
Published: 24 June, 2025

The Government of Panama on Monday (2 June) rejected accusations made by United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) in recent publications circulated through media outlets and e-mails worldwide.

Panama Maritime Authority (PMA), called the claims made by Mark D. Wallace, CEO of UANI, as “misleading”. 

On 30 May, UANI accused Panama of its “longstanding role” in facilitating Iran’s illicit oil trade and urged Panama to de-flag all Iranian oil-smuggling vessels. According to UANI’s analysis, nearly one in five vessels suspected of transporting Iranian oil—17% or 94/542 of the total tracked—sails under Panama’s flag.

AMP, the entity in charge of the Panamanian Ship Registry and the governing body of the Panamanian maritime sector, reported it has removed more than 650 vessels from its registry since 2019, in compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and as part of its efforts to combat the financing of terrorism and illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.

“The Government of Panama maintains close collaboration with the Government of the United States of America, through its Embassy in Panama and through direct communications with the Department of State, regarding the Ship Registry and other security matters of mutual interest,” it said in a statement. 

Furthermore, as part of its international commitments, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) known as the Registry of Information Sharing Compact (RISC) was signed in August 2019 between Liberia, Vanuatu, the Marshall Islands, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, Moldova, and Panama.

The agreement stipulates that when a flag registry cancels or initiates a sanction or cancellation process, or refuses to register a vessel due to sanctionable activity, the registry must immediately notify the other members of the vessel’s details, including a description of the sanctionable activity, in order to publicise the identity of vessels, companies, or groups acting against the interests of the international maritime community.

As a result of the signing of said MOU, the AMP issued Resolution No. 106-048-DGMM on 19 August 2019, establishing sanctions against any vessel of the Panama Registry that deliberately deactivates the Long-Range Identification and Tracking System (LRIT) and/or the Automatic Identification System (AIS) equipment.

Additionally, Panama has recently implemented strict new requirements for ship-to-ship (STS) oil transfer operations involving vessels under its flag, marking an important step in its efforts to combat sanctions evasion and illicit maritime activities. These new requirements are aligned with the standards of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the MARPOL Convention, reflecting Panama’s commitment to maritime security and operational transparency.

This measure follows the promulgation, in October 2024, of Executive Decree No. 512, which empowers the AMP to unilaterally deregister vessels whose owners appear on international sanctions lists. Since its promulgation to date, Panama has deregistered 214 vessels, representing more than 12 million Gross Register Tonnage (GRT).

“It is important to note that the AMP conducts investigations into compliance with international conventions ratified by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), due diligence, and recommendations from the United Nations Security Council Panel of Experts. Vessels that fail to comply with national regulations are subject to administrative and economic sanctions, and even cancellation of their registration (abandonment of the flag),” AMP added. 

Panama said it has complied and will continue to comply with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and its efforts to combat the financing of terrorism and illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. 

Related: Panama tightens STS oil transfer rules to ‘shut the door’ on shadow fleet

Photo credit: Panama Maritime Authority
Published: 4 June, 2025

Panama Maritime Authority (PMA) on Friday (23 May) said it has strengthened its requirements for ship-to-ship (STS) oil transfer operations involving tankers registered under its flag. 

PMA said the objective is to “shut the door” on the so-called “shadow fleet” and reinforce the country’s standing as a responsible flag State.

PMA, through its Directorate General of Merchant Marine (DGMM), issued Resolution No. 106-035-DGMM of 2025 (published in Official Gazette 30271–A on May 6, 2025), which introduces stricter controls and mandatory traceability for offshore STS transfers of hydrocarbons.

“This initiative addresses the growing use of opaque vessels to circumvent international sanctions, transport undeclared crude, or evade environmental safety regulations—practices commonly associated with what is known as the shadow or dark fleet,” explained DGMM Acting Director, Engineer Rina Berrocal.

Effective immediately, all Panama-flagged vessels with a gross tonnage of 150 or more must notify the Flag State at least 48 hours in advance of any planned STS operation, providing detailed technical, logistical, and operational information.

The mandatory notification must include the following key data:

• Identification details of participating vessels (name, flag, IMO number)
• Coordinates and estimated time of the STS operation
• Type and quantity of hydrocarbons to be transferred
• Transfer method (underway or at anchor)
• Contact information of the Designated Person Ashore (DPA)
• Confirmation of the STS plan in accordance with Regulation 41 of the MARPOL Convention
• In addition, vessels must update their STS operational plans to reflect this new notification requirement and retain onboard an electronic acknowledgment of receipt.

“This new regulation reinforces Panama’s role as a flag State committed to maritime safety, operational transparency, and the prevention of fraudulent use of its registry, in full alignment with IMO regulations and the MARPOL Convention,” Berrocal emphasised.

“This is not just about safeguarding the reputation of the Panamanian registry,” she warned, “but about ensuring that our vessels are not used as platforms for illicit activities that undermine global trade and harm the environment.”

Photo credit: Panama Maritime Authority
Published: 30 May, 2025