International coalition, including Nordic and Baltic countries, planning to establish guidelines for Russia's clandestine naval operations
In a significant move aimed at preserving maritime security, safety, and freedom of navigation, the NB8++ countries - Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom - have agreed to strengthen their cooperation to counter the Russian shadow fleet.
The meeting, likely called in response to concerns about the activities of the Russian shadow fleet and its potential impact on international law and sanctions, saw the Baltic states and Nordic countries, along with France, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, and the United Kingdom, joining forces in the NB8++ format.
The participants emphasized the importance of ensuring uniform interpretation and respect for international maritime regulations and standards, particularly in light of vessels without valid flags or those falsely claiming flags. They reiterated that such vessels do not have the rights afforded by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), including freedom of navigation.
The countries have committed to further strengthen their cooperation and ensure a joint and coordinated approach by their national authorities to address Russia’s shadow fleet. This includes working together to compile a common set of guidelines that promote responsible behavior at sea and strengthen compliance with international law.
The strategies also focus on protecting maritime security, safety, the marine environment, and freedom of navigation. The countries are aware of the broader risks posed by the shadow fleet, including potential environmental damage, threats to maritime safety and security, the integrity of international seaborne trade, critical undersea infrastructure, and respect for international maritime rules and standards. These risks extend far beyond the Baltic and North Seas and could have a global impact.
The NB8++ countries have called on other nations to join their efforts, recognizing that the impacts of the shadow fleet are not confined to the Baltic and North Seas. They are determined to protect maritime security, safety, the marine environment, and freedom of navigation in accordance with international law, and their resolve has been strengthened by Russia's actions.
While the statement does not provide specific details on the actions to be taken against the Russian shadow fleet, it outlines the need to preserve and strengthen the integrity of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and to take appropriate action against stateless vessels and those flying false flags in the Baltic Sea and the North Sea. The common set of guidelines, once compiled, will ensure a unified and coordinated response to the challenge posed by the Russian shadow fleet.
- The government of the NB8++ countries, in conjunction with France, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, and the United Kingdom, has announced a policy-and-legislation initiative to address war-and-conflicts related issues, specifically the Russian shadow fleet, in General-news, with a focus on their activities that may impact international law and sanctions.
- In the face of the Russian shadow fleet's possible threats to maritime security, safety, the marine environment, and freedom of navigation, these governments have pledged to work collectively to strengthen their infrastructure, such as installing advanced radar systems, and enforce international maritime regulations and standards.
- Recognizing that the impacts of the shadow fleet are not limited to the Baltic and North Seas, the participants in the NB8++ meeting have extended invitations for other nations to join their efforts and help maintain the integrity of the global maritime system, as per the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, to counter the challenges created by stateless vessels and those flying false flags.
