Shadow Fleet

Size of fleet: Over 3,000 vessels worldwide.
Deceptive practices: Disabling AIS (Automatic Identification System), GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) spoofing, false flagging, opaque ownership structures, and covert ship‑to‑ship transfers.
Types of fleets:
Dark fleet: Highest‑risk vessels that deliberately hide their movements.
Grey fleet: Vessels showing risk indicators (irregular routes, rapid ownership changes) but not necessarily sanctioned.
Major sanction‑evading source countries: Iran, Venezuela, Russia.
Key registration jurisdictions: Gabon, Marshall Islands, Cook Islands, Liberia, Panama, Mongolia (land‑locked).
Indian link: Mumbai‑based Gatik Ship Management handled a shadow fleet worth USD 1.5 billion in 2022‑23, transporting Russian crude before divesting its tankers in August 2023.
Environmental concerns: Many vessels are old, poorly insured, increasing the risk of oil spills and maritime accidents.

The shadow fleet emerged prominently after the Russia‑Ukraine war, as sanctions tightened on Russian oil exports.
By turning off AIS and spoofing GNSS, operators conceal vessel locations, making enforcement of sanctions difficult for the United States and its allies.
The fleet exploits jurisdictions with lax maritime oversight, allowing rapid changes in ownership and flagging to evade detection.

Energy security: India imports a sizable share of its crude oil from Russia; shadow fleet activities affect price stability and supply reliability.
Maritime safety: Indian waters could witness increased traffic of substandard vessels, raising the risk of accidents and pollution.
Strategic autonomy: Dependence on opaque shipping networks may limit India's ability to enforce its own sanctions or align with international pressure.
Regulatory response: Highlights the need for stronger Indian maritime oversight, tighter ship‑registry monitoring, and cooperation with international bodies.

Article 246 (Union List) – Parliament’s power to legislate on foreign trade, commerce and shipping.
Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992 – Enables the government to impose sanctions and control imports/exports.
Maritime Zones Act, 1976 – Provides for regulation of Indian maritime zones and safety.
International conventions: United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and IMO conventions on ship safety and pollution.

Strengthen Indian ship‑registry vetting and enforce transparency of ownership.
Enhance satellite‑based monitoring (e.g., AIS, SAR) in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and external agencies.
Align sanctions policy with the US and EU to close loopholes exploited by shadow fleets.
Promote green shipping initiatives to phase out old, polluting vessels.
Foster regional cooperation (e.g., Indian Ocean Rim Association) for joint surveillance of illicit maritime activities.

For further reading, see: India's Maritime Strategy