Russian “shadow fleet” tankers in the Black Sea are transmitting false location data to conceal their real routes in order to avoid Ukrainian attacks, the Financial Times reports.
According to Oli Ballinger, a shadow-fleet tracking specialist at University College London, at least 12 sanctioned tankers used the same devices to transmit fake coordinates, even though the vessels themselves were hundreds of kilometres away from the stated locations.
Six tankers simultaneously transmitted two positions via the AIS automatic identification system, creating the impression that the vessels were in two places at once. This method of deception may indicate co-ordinated action.
Russian “shadow fleet” tankers have long manipulated AIS data to circumvent Western sanctions aimed at cutting Moscow’s oil revenues. Now, the vessels are likely adapting these methods to avoid strikes by Ukrainian drones.
Lloyd’s List Intelligence research director Bridget Diakun noted that such behaviour is new for sanctioned tankers in the region.
She said it could be part of a broader Russian strategy to protect its maritime assets amid tougher EU action against sanctioned vessels and more active Ukrainian efforts to disrupt Russian oil exports.
In late September, Kyiv said that Ukrainian forces had hit more than 300 Russian vessels over 11 weeks.
A particularly unusual tactic was recorded as the tankers transited the Bosphorus. The vessels briefly switched on genuine satellite transmission of coordinates, required to pass through the strait, while simultaneously broadcasting another, recorded position near its entrance. This could have helped conceal the ships’ real route from potential attacks.
For example, on 27 August the Russian oil tanker Pirop simultaneously transmitted coordinates near the Bosphorus while reporting that it was about 800 kilometres away, off the coast of Turkey.
Possible use of the same devices was also suggested by repeated identical coordinates and the fact that all location messages were timestamped at the same time – 08:13 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
Most of the 12 tankers that transmitted false coordinates in the Black Sea have, over the past year, reflagged under the Russian flag. This means they are now subject to Moscow’s maritime rules. Some vessels have been fitted with nets and metal structures to protect against drone attacks.
In addition, more than 30 “shadow fleet” tankers over the summer changed their names to Russian words denoting gemstones, including “Gagat”, “Labrador” and “Sapphire”.
According to an assessment by Windward senior analyst Michelle Wiese Bockmann, from July to September more than 80 vessels reflagged under the Russian flag. She called it the clearest signal yet that Russia is seeking to tighten control over its own maritime transport and logistics.
Windward puts the shadow fleet at 1,229 vessels with deadweight of more than 20,000 tonnes. More than three quarters of them are under US, UK or EU sanctions.