Collision of Russian tanker Andromeda Star from "shadow float"

Recent tanker collision Andromeda Star, belonging to the Russian "shadow float" breaking western sanctions through the secret transport of Russian oil, raises concerns about the safety of shipping and the environment in European waters.

Tanker Andromeda Starpart of the Russian ‘floto’ Shadows" consisting of unregistered oil smuggling units against international sanctions, he was involved in a collision event off the coast of Denmark. This event draws attention to the deeper problem of unsanctioned ships, which daily traverse the Danish Straits, carrying hundreds of thousands of barrels of Russian oil, raising concerns about the potential threat of an ecological disaster.

According to the Danish Maritime Office, the tanker collided with an anonymous ship on March 2 of this year. Andromeda StarShe was heading to Russia for another cargo. This 15-year-old ship suddenly slowed down and stopped, circling the northern coast of Jutland. After the event, the unit anchored south of Copenhagen to then move to the anchorage at the Odense repair yard, where it underwent the necessary repairs.

Despite the lack of direct environmental impact, this collision is a warning signal against a possible marine disaster, to which uninsured Russian vessels can contribute despite sanctions. The situation is complicated by the fact that Andromeda Star, sold four months ago to unknown buyers, to this day there is no updated owner's data. The Indian company Margao Marine Solutions, managing the tanker, is a new player in the market, starting operations in late 2022 and managing three older units flying the flag of Panama.

The Russian shadow float and its sanctioned actions are considered a serious threat to maritime safety. Reports, including the analysis of the Atlantic Council, indicate that these ships are often outdated, in poor technical condition, deactivate their transponders and engage in risky transhipments in the open sea. Such practices significantly increase the risk of disasters, stressing the need for increased attention and efforts to ensure the safety of shipping and the protection of the marine environment.

In addition, the investigation showed, that although ships of the Russian "shadow float" often have insurance, it does not cover violations of sanctions, which could result in the loss of its validity in the event of a disaster. As a result, countries in which leakage would occur would face the need to cover huge pollution removal costs.

The sanctions which were intended to reduce Russia's revenues from the energy sector following its aggression against Ukraine may paradoxically increase the threat to the marine environment, as they hinder ships breaching these restrictions to obtain adequate insurance. This unexpected consequence raises questions about the effectiveness of current marine ecosystem strategies in the face of a complex international situation.

Written by Mariusz Dasiewicz