Experts doubt the benefits: USA wants to relax sanctions against shadow fleet tankers

The Iran war is driving up global freight costs. Washington is considering releasing previously sanctioned tankers for transport again. Russia should expressly not benefit from this.

The government of US President Donald Trump is considering easing sanctions against ships in the so-called shadow fleet. This involves tankers that transported oil and oil products from Russia, Iran and Venezuela, among others. According to a US government official, this is intended to reduce extremely high global freight costs.

There is talk that the USA could allow the transport of oil and oil products that are not subject to US sanctions on previously sanctioned ships, said the insider. The aim is to bring more crude oil and refined products from the Gulf region onto the market.

A few days ago, US President Donald Trump lifted sanctions against Russian diesel until April 7th. The move was met with strong criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European countries. Some US senators from Trump's own Republican party also protested.

Goal: More oil shipments

In a video message to the World Energy Congress in Riyadh, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the government was considering easing sanctions against Shadow Fleet ships, according to the research group Energy Aspects. The US Department of Energy said such a move would not help Russia transport oil or oil products. According to the government representative, US companies that wanted to use the affected ships would have to apply for approval from the Treasury Department.

Energy Aspects said in a note to clients that easing sanctions on the Shadow Fleet would not have a major impact on freight rates, but could enable more oil shipments in the Middle East: "A small number of additional tankers for certain shuttle trips through the Strait of Hormuz may become available." The shipping industry said that lifting the measures would not lead to a widespread relaxation of freight rates, as ship insurers would continue to be bound by EU and British regulations.