You are using an outdated browser For a better experience using this site, please upgrade to a modern web browser. Subscribe Get Daily Email Subscribe --> Contact Us Sign in Home News & Features Compliance Costs Bunker Prices Bunker Intelligence World News Latest Features World Americas EMEA Asia/Pacific Home News & Features World VIEWPOINT: Environmental Risk of the Shadow Fleet - A Legal and Regulatory Failure VIEWPOINT: Environmental Risk of the Shadow Fleet - A Legal and Regulatory Failure by Danish Shadab and Jaison Kallikkanathu John Tuesday September 8, 2026 Tweet Follow @shipandbunker International maritime risk and response company Ambrey was engaged in the salvage of the stricken tanker, the Caroline Bezengi. Image source: Ambrey The Rise of Shadow Tankers The shadow fleet has grown exponentially since the start of the Russia - Ukraine war in 2022 . By one estimate, there are about 1,000 shadow tankers operating worldwide, which is equivalent to 15-20 % of the global tanker fleet. These vessels are typically unregulated, circumventing price caps and insurance bans by hiding their identity. These vessels, often decades old, fly flags of convenience from small, under-resourced states and employ opaque ownership structures to hide their true cargo and destination. Their primary purpose is economic survival for the sanctioned regimes, but their secondary effect is a mounting environmental and humanitarian disaster. The gravity of this problem is highlighted by a recent marine incident off the coast of Oman in June 2026 . Case Study: The Caroline Bezengi Disaster The Caroline Bezengi , a 2001 -built Suezmax carrying 800,000 barrels of Russian crude, grounded on the rocks of Oman's Hallaniyat archipelago, inside a marine reserve created to protect endangered humpback whales. Oil has since reached the mainland, with cleanup costs estimated at $200–500 million. The registered owner had already dissolved, its flag state suspended its registry for fraud, and