Ukrainian sailors use Telegram to avoid being recruited by Russia's shadowy oil-smuggling fleet
Under the sanctions imposed on Iran and Russia, a so-called shadow fleet - a group of old tankers used for the clandestine transport of oil - has emerged. Ukrainian contracted seafarers have started using online networks to share information to avoid being hired to work in this shadow fleet.
Here's What We Know
Communities on Telegram, with over 8,000 seafarers, have become a place to share information about troubled vessels and help avoid involvement in illegal oil transport. However, with the outbreak of war in Ukraine and russia's involvement in the shadow fleet, seafarers are facing new risks.
One Ukrainian seafarer, Felix Bondar (name changed), shared his experience of working on a vessel that frequently changed its name and disabled its automatic identification system (AIS), a sign of illegal activity. The ship was smuggling oil to China and Felix refused to work on a ship carrying Russian oil after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine when he learnt its true purpose. This led to him being fired and staying in a Chinese port.
The war in Ukraine is having a huge impact on Ukrainians around the world, including seafarers who are experiencing depression and anxiety as they try to provide for their families and worry about the safety of loved ones.
Recruitment for the shadow fleet is done through a complex network of cruising agencies and one-man firms. Some Ukrainian cruising agencies have been implicated in recruiting crews for Russian oil smuggling vessels.
The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has called on member states to cooperate to counter the shadow fleet, and the European Union has imposed new sanctions requiring disclosure of oil sales from tankers owned by Russian companies.
While international regulators have not addressed the role of cruising agencies in supplying labour for the shadow fleet, seafarers continue to share information and protect themselves and each other from oil fraud.
Source: HakaiMagazine
