Denmark

With tensions further increasing between Russia and the west, the Danish Maritime Authority is expressing safety concerns over Russian tankers operati...

The Danish Maritime Authority is raising concern that tankers carrying Russian oil might elect not to use pilots when transiting Danish waters. While Russian ships were being turned away from European ports, the Danish government cited an 1857 treaty that provides safe passage through the straits. Turning off AIS signals is a common tactic, but the Danes are concerned that tankers carrying Russian oil might also elect to forego pilots to reduce observations of their movements. The Financial Times reports that the volumes have remained nearly constant since the start of the war but it is unclear how the new sanctions will impact the trade. The Danish Maritime Authority’s data shows that nearly all of them are currently using pilots. The maritime authority is concerned with increased sanctions on Russian oil due to begin in just over two months, that Russian tankers might increase their attempts to hide their activities.