Shadow Fleet: The Ghost Ships Evading Sanctions

In recent years, and especially during the latest US-Iran conflict, the term “shadow fleet” has appeared more and more in global news reports. Also called a “dark fleet” or “ghost fleet", it refers to ships operating outside the regular shipping system. But what exactly are these fleets, and why are they drawing attention?

A large number of ghost fleet vessels are old ships that frequently change their names, flags, and ownership records, making them difficult to identify and track. Some are even known to sail with fake names painted on their hulls or under false flags to hide their real identities. These ships are often linked to carrying sanctioned oil and other restricted cargo, reportedly including military-related equipment.

Many ghost fleet ships try to stay off the radar by switching off their tracking systems or by broadcasting false locations while sailing. The oil they carry is also commonly moved from one ship to another in open waters, making its origin harder to trace. Many of these ships are unable to enter certain ports because they lack regular shipping insurance, so cargo transfers between vessels become a common workaround.

Some of these tankers avoid detection by copying the identity of ships that have already been scrapped. They reuse registration numbers issued by the International Maritime Organization, allowing them to operate under the name of vessels that no longer exist. The practice has earned them the nickname “zombie ships", similar to criminals using the identity of a dead person to stay hidden.

Getting an exact count of ghost fleet ships is difficult because the networks behind them are designed to stay hidden. Still, experts in the shipping and energy sectors estimate that these vessels now account for a sizeable share of the global oil tanker market — possibly close to 20 percent. Their presence has reportedly expanded in recent years, especially after sanctions were placed on Russian oil exports.

Countries hit by Western sanctions are increasingly depending on “ghost fleets” to keep oil exports moving. Data shows that most of these tankers are tied to Russian crude, while others transport oil from Iran and Venezuela. Some vessels are also used flexibly, carrying shipments from more than one sanctioned country.

Shadow fleets are seen as a major risk because they operate in ways that are difficult for authorities to track. By quietly transporting oil and other cargo for sanctioned countries, these vessels can bypass restrictions and stay outside regular oversight. Safety is another concern, as many of the ships are old and uninsured, increasing the danger of accidents and massive oil spills at sea.