Planet Money How Russia’s shadow fleet is sailing around oil sanctions
194 snips
Oct 17, 2025 This conversation features Michelle Vesey Bachman, a maritime intelligence specialist known for her insights into ship movements and shadow fleets. The discussion reveals how a network of old, reflagged tankers is smuggling Russian oil despite sanctions. Michelle elaborates on tactics like fake insurance and opaque ownership structures used to evade detection. The shadow fleet, now over 600 vessels, is reshaping global oil markets and poses environmental risks, creating a complex dilemma for maritime authorities.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Pilot Life In Dangerous Straits
- Bjarne Caesar Skinnerup describes his job piloting massive oil tankers through the Straits of Denmark to prevent environmental and financial catastrophe.
- He often boards ships via rope ladders and guides them with precise local knowledge to avoid wrecks or collisions.
Strange Ships Reappeared After 2022
- Bjarne noticed older, renamed tankers with rough crews and poor facilities reappearing after 2022.
- He realized these vessels were hiding ownership and cargo origins by flying unfamiliar flags and using obscure paperwork.
Price Cap Relies On Insurers
- The G7 designed the $60-a-barrel oil price cap to let Russian oil flow while reducing revenue to Moscow.
- Enforcement relied on private marine insurers refusing coverage above the cap rather than direct naval policing.