How Russia’s shadow fleet is sailing around oil sanctions

This Planet Money episode investigates the "shadow fleet," a growing network of over 600 old and often fraudulently insured or flagged oil tankers used by Russia to bypass Western sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine. These ships, which now constitute a significant portion of the global oil tanker fleet, facilitate the sale of Russian oil to countries like China, India, and Saudi Arabia, allowing Russia to maintain revenue streams despite the price cap. The report highlights the challenges in enforcing maritime regulations, the economic incentives for countries to participate in the shadow economy, and the potential for environmental disaster due to the age and poor maintenance of these vessels, leaving a Danish maritime pilot conflicted as he is tasked with guiding these ships through treacherous waters.