US Weighs Easing Sanctions on Tankers Linked to Russia's “Shadow Fleet”

The administration of US President Donald Trump is considering easing sanctions on so-called “shadow fleet” tankers that have previously carried oil from Russia, Iran and Venezuela, the news agency Reuters reports, citing a US official. The aim is said to be to reduce record-high oil shipping costs and increase oil supplies to the global market.

What the proposal involves

Under the plan under discussion, vessels previously hit by US sanctions could, under certain conditions, be allowed to carry oil and petroleum products that are not subject to Washington's restrictions. In other words, this would not permit the free transport of sanctioned Russian or Iranian oil; instead, the tankers would be used to move other, permitted cargo.

Companies wishing to use sanctioned vessels would need a special authorisation from the US Treasury Department. According to the official, the main goal is to boost deliveries of crude oil and petroleum products from the Persian Gulf region, where a tense situation has significantly raised shipping costs.

Earlier decision and criticism

The discussions come only days after Trump temporarily lifted sanctions on Russian diesel fuel. That move drew sharp criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, representatives of several European countries and even senators from Trump's own Republican Party.

Critics warn that easing sanctions could give Russia additional revenue that Moscow would use to continue the war in Ukraine. The Trump administration, for its part, is trying to hold down high oil and fuel prices, which have become a growing political problem ahead of the US congressional midterm elections on 3 November.