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UK Targets Shadow Fleet Ships Amid Sanctions Crackdown

1/12/2026

Summary

Healey Targets Shadow Fleet

Defence Secretary John Healey announced plans to use the Sanctions and Money Laundering Act of 2018 to board and detain shadow fleet ships from Russia, Iran, and Venezuela.
Recent operations saw UK forces help the US seize the Marinera, formerly Bella 1, which transported sanctioned oil.
The UK has sanctioned over 500 vessels, reducing the shadow fleet's operational capacity.
Discussions on future military actions are ongoing with no timeline.

Summary

Russia Transfers LNG

A simultaneous ship-to-ship operation at the Saam floating storage unit near Murmansk enabled the transfer of liquefied natural gas to China.
The Arc7 ice-class carrier Christophe de Margerie facilitated the transfer, demonstrating Russia's ability to sustain Arctic LNG flows.
The newly built Arc7 carrier Alexey Kosygin is set for ice trials, supported by Russia's nuclear-powered icebreaker Arktika.
Analysts say sanctions have slowed operations, but enforcement has weakened, allowing continued exports.

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Healey Targets Shadow Fleet

Defence Secretary John Healey announced plans to use the Sanctions and Money Laundering Act of 2018 to board and detain shadow fleet ships from Russia, Iran, and Venezuela.
Recent operations saw UK forces help the US seize the Marinera, formerly Bella 1, which transported sanctioned oil.
The UK has sanctioned over 500 vessels, reducing the shadow fleet's operational capacity.
Discussions on future military actions are ongoing with no timeline.

1 / 2