The EU Targets Rosneft and 52 Russian Ships to Counter Sanctions Evasion

The European Union strengthens its sanctions against Russia by blacklisting additional ships and entities linked to Rosneft to combat evasion of the G7 price caps on Russian oil exports.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

7-Day Pass

Up to 50 articles accessible for 7 days, with no automatic renewal

3 $/week*

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles/month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 30,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

The European Union announced on December 16 a new sanctions package against Russia, including the blacklisting of 52 additional ships and a shipping unit belonging to the state-owned oil giant Rosneft. This measure is part of a broader strategy to counter evasion of international sanctions on Russian oil exports.

In this latest round of sanctions, approved on December 11, the European Commission banned port access and service provision to 52 new ships, bringing the total number of sanctioned vessels to 79. According to the Commission, these ships are involved in high-risk activities such as transporting Russian oil, delivering weapons, grain theft, or directly supporting the Russian energy sector.

“With each new round of sanctions, we improve their effectiveness and close gaps,” the Commission said in a statement, reaffirming its commitment to supporting Ukraine in the ongoing armed conflict.

Rosneft and Its Executives Targeted

Among the entities added to the sanctions list is LLC Prime Shipping, a shipping unit affiliated with Rosneft, along with its general director, Igor Alexandrovich. JSC Rosnefteflot, another Russian company specializing in maritime transportation of crude oil and petroleum products, is also targeted, along with its general director, Alexey Nefedov.

The list also extends to European actors. Niels Troost, a Dutch businessman heading Paramount Energy and Commodities DMCC and affiliated with Livna Shipping, was included among the new targets of European sanctions.

Extension of Exemptions for Certain Member States

In addition to strengthened sanctions, the EU granted certain exceptions for its member states. The Czech Republic is authorized to continue importing refined fuels made from Russian oil transported via Slovakia for another six months. Additionally, Croatia benefits from an extension until December 31, 2025, for its purchases of vacuum gas oil from Russia.

The Persistent Challenge of Shadow Fleets

Western efforts, led by the G7, to impose a price cap on Russian oil at $60 per barrel have so far shown limitations. The majority of Russian oil is now transported by shadow fleet vessels, which evade control by G7 countries and their allies.

According to data from S&P Global Commodities at Sea, more than 80% of Russia’s seaborne crude exports in November were carried by ships not registered or operated in jurisdictions of G7 countries. This trend has been amplified by the gradual reduction of discounts on Russian crude.

Impact on the Oil Market

The benchmark Russian crude, Urals, is currently trading above the G7 price cap. In November, the price gap between Urals and Dated Brent stood at approximately $12.25 per barrel. Platts, a division of Commodity Insights, assessed Urals FOB Primorsk with a discount of $12.55 on December 10, a slight increase since August.

The expansion of EU sanctions follows similar measures recently adopted by the United States and the United Kingdom, which also aim to neutralize the capabilities of Russia’s shadow fleet.

The State Duma has approved Russia’s formal withdrawal from a treaty signed with the United States on the elimination of military-grade plutonium, ending over two decades of strategic nuclear cooperation.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said it was not in Poland’s interest to extradite to Germany a Ukrainian citizen suspected of taking part in the explosions that damaged the Nord Stream gas pipelines in 2022.
Al-Harfi and SCLCO signed agreements with Syrian authorities to develop solar and wind capacity, amid an ongoing energy rapprochement between Riyadh and Damascus.
Faced with risks to Middle Eastern supply chains, Thai and Japanese refiners are turning to US crude, backed by tariff incentives and strategies aligned with ongoing bilateral trade discussions.
France intercepted a tanker linked to Russian exports, prompting Emmanuel Macron to call for a coordinated European response to hinder vessels bypassing oil sanctions.
The activation of the snapback mechanism reinstates all UN sanctions on Iran, directly affecting the defence, financial and maritime trade sectors.
Commissioner Dan Jørgensen visits Greenland to expand energy ties with the European Union, amid plans to double EU funding for the 2028–2034 period.
European and Iranian foreign ministers meet in New York to try to prevent the reinstatement of UN sanctions linked to Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announces a bilateral agreement with Mexico including targeted investments in energy corridors, logistics infrastructure and cross-border security.
The US president has called for an immediate end to Russian oil imports by NATO countries, denouncing a strategic contradiction as sanctions against Moscow are being considered.
Tehran withdrew a resolution denouncing attacks on its nuclear facilities, citing US pressure on IAEA members who feared suspension of Washington’s voluntary contributions.
Poland’s energy minister calls on European Union member states to collectively commit to halting Russian oil purchases within two years, citing increasing geopolitical risks.
Athens and Tripoli engage in a negotiation process to define their exclusive economic zones in the Mediterranean, amid geopolitical tensions and underwater energy stakes.
European powers demand concrete steps from Tehran on nuclear issue or United Nations sanctions will be reinstated, as IAEA inspections remain blocked and tensions with Washington persist.
Brussels confirms its target to end all Russian energy imports by 2028, despite growing diplomatic pressure from Washington amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Donald Trump threatens to escalate US sanctions against Russia, but only if NATO member states stop all Russian oil imports, which remain active via certain pipelines.
The two countries agreed to develop infrastructure dedicated to liquefied natural gas to strengthen Europe's energy security and boost transatlantic trade.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei calls for modernising the oil industry and expanding export markets as Tehran faces the possible reactivation of 2015 nuclear deal sanctions.
The Ukrainian president demanded that Slovakia end its imports of Russian crude, offering an alternative supply solution amid ongoing war and growing diplomatic tensions over the Druzhba pipeline.
The United States cuts tariffs on Japanese imports to 15%, while Tokyo launches a massive investment plan targeting American energy, industry, and agriculture.

All the latest energy news, all the time

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

7 DAY PASS

Up to 50 items can be consulted for 7 days,
without automatic renewal

3$/week*

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.