EU members back action against Russian oil smugglers, according to Politico

EU states agree that tankers suspected of carrying Russian oil in violation of embargoes must be barred from the bloc’s ports as part of the 11th sanctions package against Moscow. Even nations benefiting from undeclared imports back the proposal, sources claim. A draft European Commission proposal states that tightening is required due to the sharp increase in deceptive practices and environmental risks by vessels transporting Russian crude oil and petroleum products. Ships traveling with their transponders and GPS turned off will also be targeted. Last year, the EU, G7, and their allies slapped a collective ban on Russian seaborne oil exports, along with a price cap of $60 per barrel. The average four-week seaborne shipments of Russian crude increased by 180,000 barrels per day to 3.63 million bpd, with China and India as main destinations.