Dutch gov’t working on laws against Russian fleet of espionage ships

Legislation is being prepared to allow stricter measures against ships in the Russian shadow fleet that operate under false flags to bypass oil sanctions. Caretaker Minister for Infrastructure and Water Management Robert Tieman and Foreign Affairs Minister David van Weel said their ministries are fast-tracking the required legal changes, hoping to send them to the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of Dutch parliament, ahead of the summer.

Russia’s “shadow fleet” consists of hundreds of ships, primarily oil tankers. These vessels often have opaque ownership, fly false or irregular flags, and switch off their automatic identification systems to remain undetected. They commonly carry fuel and crude oil outside standard insurance frameworks, complicating efforts to enforce sanctions.

Many ships in the Russian shadow fleet are in poor condition, creating hazards for both sea safety and the environment. The Cabinet also believes these vessels may be engaged in espionage activities.

The Netherlands faces challenges in acting against ships in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), located beyond territorial waters. The proposed legislation would allow authorities to inspect vessels flying false flags, direct them to anchorage, and, if necessary, confiscate them.

An EU analysis shows that almost 600 ships were included on a sanctions list by the end of 2025, prohibited from European ports for their involvement in evading the oil price cap and related sanctions.

In December 2025, the EU added sanctions against 41 vessels in the shadow fleet and the organizations that support them. Earlier EU sanction measures have already targeted hundreds of ships and maritime service companies linked to the shadow fleet.