A rusting, sanctioned Russian oil tanker, dubbed a 'zombie' vessel for its shifting identities, made a brazen passage through the English Channel on Thursday night, directly challenging international sanctions enforcement.
Defiance on the High Seas
The vessel, the Arcusat, is a 100,000-tonne, 800-foot-long crude oil tanker that forms part of Russia's so-called 'shadow' or 'ghost fleet'. This network of ageing ships is used to circumvent Western sanctions and transport oil from Russia, Iran, and Venezuela, directly funding Moscow's war effort in Ukraine.
Its latest transit past the UK coast sets the stage for potential dramatic intervention. This follows a joint UK-US Special Forces raid just a day earlier, on Wednesday, which successfully seized the Russian-linked tanker Marinera in the treacherous conditions of the North Atlantic.
UK Pledges Stepped-Up Support Against Shadow Fleet
In response to the ongoing challenge, Cabinet Minister Douglas Alexander stated the UK is "absolutely willing" to increase its backing for US-led operations targeting these illicit shipments. The Scottish Secretary emphasised the national interest in action, stating: "The ship is part of the shadow fleet that funds Russia's war effort in Ukraine."
He added, "Our national interest is served by avoiding the illegal fuelling of terrorism, of conflict and of misery, whether in Ukraine, the Middle East or anywhere else."
The seizure of the Marinera involved heavily armed troops rappelling from US Black Hawk helicopters onto the deck as huge waves crashed against the hull, with a Russian submarine reported to be loitering nearby.
The Elusive 'Zombie' Tanker Arcusat
The Arcusat, previously known as the Tavian and Tia, is a prime example of the tactics used by the ghost fleet. To evade capture, it has:
- Adopted the identities of ships no longer in service.
- Engaged in 'spoofing' by assuming the identification numbers of legitimate vessels to deceive coastguards.
- Sailed under various flags of convenience, including those of Cameroon and Tanzania.
Reported to be in poor condition, the tanker carried 730,000 barrels of Russian crude oil. This was not its first voyage near UK waters, with sightings also recorded off the English coast in October and December last year. The global ghost fleet is estimated to include 1,500 vessels, with around 400 linked to Venezuela.
The UK government's commitment comes amid heightened tensions, with China accusing the US of "severe violations" of international law for the seizures of the Marinera and another tanker, the MT Sophia, in the Caribbean. Moscow, meanwhile, claimed the Marinera had temporary permission to sail under the Russian flag and was on a peaceful journey.
