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| Image source: Danish Defence |
Denmark has announced stricter environmental and safety inspections on oil tankers operating at Skaw Anchorage, a key maritime hub at the entrance to the Baltic Sea, as part of European efforts to counter Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet.”
Authorities will reinforce environmental control measures on ships anchoring in the Skagerrak Strait, one of the busiest maritime corridors in Northern Europe. Thousands of vessels transit Danish waters annually, with a significant number anchoring at Skaw for refueling, crew changes, or cargo adjustments.
According to the Danish Ministry of Environment, the decision follows a rise in traffic involving aging tankers transporting sanctioned oil, which officials say pose heightened risks to marine ecosystems and navigational safety.
“We know there is a lot of traffic consisting of older ships sailing through Danish waters, and they pose a particular risk to our marine environment,” said Magnus Heunicke, Denmark’s Minister for Environment and Gender Equality. “That is why we are tightening controls with very basic environmental rules so that we can take more effective and consistent action against tankers and the Russian shadow fleet.”
Echoing this stance, Industry Minister Morten Bødskov emphasized that the initiative is part of Denmark’s broader support for EU sanctions enforcement:
“We must put an end to Putin’s war machine — this also applies to the Russian shadow fleet. We are using all tools available. Many of these ships are old and worn-out, and intensifying controls is essential to protect Denmark and Danish waters,” Bødskov said.
The Danish Maritime Authority (DMA), in coordination with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), will conduct more frequent onboard environmental inspections to ensure compliance with international and EU environmental standards, including pollution prevention and hull integrity checks.
By the end of 2025, Denmark also plans to introduce routine measurements of sulphur content in ship fuel, part of its commitment to MARPOL Annex VI compliance. The government indicated that data gathered through these enhanced monitoring efforts will be shared with international partners to track vessels suspected of evading sanctions and to support the development of an EU-wide “shadow fleet watchlist.”
The measures come amid growing international scrutiny of older, often uninsured or under-classed tankers carrying Russian crude or refined products through northern European waters.