Arctic Shipping Lane Sees Surge in ‘Shadow Fleet’ Traffic

Russia’s Arctic shipping lanes have become a corridor for the global shadow fleet of sanctioned oil and LNG tankers, raising safety, environmental, and geopolitical concerns.

2025, nearly one-third of vessels using the route were part of the so-called dark fleet.  Bellona Foundation has identified 100 sanctioned ships

In total, the researchers identified 38 sanctioned oil and oil product tankers and 13 LNG carriers using the Arctic shortcut.

By Kiyaan Singh

Kiyaan Singh is the editor of EximHQ, covering global trade, shipping, ports, logistics infrastructure, export-import policy, shipping lines, port operations, and supply-chain developments. His reporting tracks the companies, routes, policies, investments, and people shaping international commerce and maritime logistics.