The Rise of Ghost Ships and Maritime Sanctions

The phenomenon of ghost ships, often referred to as the Dark Fleet, involves cargo vessels that operate outside the boundaries of international sanctions, particularly in the context of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. These ships, with at least a thousand vessels identified, constitute about 10% of global tanker tonnage, allowing countries like Russia and Iran to continue trading despite sanctions. The recent incident involving the Russian cargo ship Ursa Major underscores these operations, as its true intentions were questioned amidst its sinking in the Mediterranean. The ship was previously linked to moving materials to Crimea, revealing how maritime logistics can be strategically utilized for geopolitical purposes.