It became known how Denmark will arrest Russian tankers

The desire to deprive Moscow of oil windfalls forced the EU to introduce unprecedented measures against the transportation of Russian ships in the waters of the union members. In particular, Denmark received the exclusive right to inspect tankers with oil from our country – allegedly capable of harming the continent’s environment. An expert told MK exactly how the mechanism for such checks will work and whether the Danes will be able to block the movement of domestic ships.

The price “ceiling” against Russian oil, over the last few months of its operation, has turned into a kind of formality: the domestic export grade Urals is still sold at prices much higher than the level fixed by the ceiling of $60 per barrel. Quotations for an export barrel from Russia on the world market, despite Western restrictions, are still only $5-10 behind the cost of the reference Brent grade, which is now quoted at $82-84.

In this regard, the West intends to tighten the sanctions screws. According to the Financial Times, the countries of the Old World intend to transfer to Denmark the rights to universal control of tankers that sail through the kingdom’s straits without insurance. In this case, Copenhagen, according to the new plans of the European Union, will be able to block tankers carrying Russian oil passing through its waters. Will the next restrictions help Europeans cope with “toxic” Russian hydrocarbons, explained leading analyst of the National Energy Security Fund Igor YUSHKOV.

– As the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, said, the next restrictions against Russia will be aimed at countering fraud in observing the oil price ceiling and combating the circumvention of sanctions. Will the decisions taken really stop Russian oil exports by sea?

– What the claims were and how they will be fulfilled is a big question. Formally, on the road from the Suez to the Hormuz Canal (over 80% of the world’s oil traffic passes along these routes), no one will stop the ships: in the worst case, they can be turned around and sent in the opposite direction. But this will only affect those who openly violate the rules established by the West and try to sell raw materials, abstracting from the requirements of the price “ceiling”. With regard to intermediary companies purchasing our raw materials, it is possible that a single list of companies will be created that will continue cooperation in Moscow. The documents of these intermediaries will be checked in person: whoever provided guarantees for the transported raw materials will be provided with a permit. Another obstacle is that you will have to order pilotage services for the passage of ships through the Baltic straits.

– Is such a procedure strictly necessary? And who will have to comply with such conditions?

– If the agreement does not stipulate the procedure and details for the provision of pilotage services, then such a service may be denied. Formally, according to the international treaty on passage through the Baltic straits, which was signed back in the 19th century, including by Russia, pilotage services can be provided by the customer, who uses some of the carrier’s services. Russian tankers that have purchased the appropriate privilege can theoretically safely pass through the straits and no one will interfere with their movement. This is a free navigation zone: according to international law, no one has the right to stop and inspect such merchant ships. Even Denmark will not be able to do this, since our tankers will pass through international commercial waters, the status of which is determined by international conventions. In this territory, no one will be able to stop Russian ships carrying oil and petroleum products.

– Do people in Copenhagen understand this?

– Denmark will insist that it is guarding international coastal security; according to current regulations, Copenhagen will most likely require Western insurance, since the country contributes to energy support for the entire European world. True, such insurance does not play any role for the fuel security of Denmark itself. But Europe is going to completely limit the supply of energy resources from our country. The Europeans are forcing Russian companies to export oil solely under their insurance (specific, written on paper), which involves supplying raw materials at a price below $60 per barrel. That is, in accordance with the price “ceiling” established by the EU. But Russia has long been selling raw materials above this level and using the services of insurance companies that guarantee reimbursement of costs even contrary to the levels established by Western politicians.

– In this case, is Russia taking another step along the path of confrontation?

– Russia is forced to confrontation. Let’s say that the insurance that the ship has completely satisfies its owners. If an accident occurs, then, theoretically, no one will have any fear that the financial consequences of the crash will be eliminated at the expense of the money paid to the insurer. Only there is another side to the coin: before the voyage, the captain says that his ship does not need pilotage services and is ready to cover the required distance himself – at his own peril and risk. Of course, he will not receive full compensation for damage in the event of an accident, but he will still return some of the money invested in the flight.

– Will inspectors thoroughly check all the cargo in this case?

– In case of an accident, they will check one way or another. And additional dangers will arise for the cargo owner. Let’s say Denmark is going to check this or that ship from the point of view of the global positioning system: if a tanker enters Primorsk or Ust-Lug, it is not difficult to understand what the ship’s crew is doing there. Obviously, it is either reloading raw materials onto other ships, or preparing for a new, transnational voyage. However, up to 80 million tons of Russian oil are transported annually along this route, so it is simply not possible to track each ship with 40 tons of cargo.

– What if the ship, which does not have insurance, does not stop? Will they start shooting, will they board you?

– Of course, it’s not worth bringing the matter to this point; it’s better to surrender to the will of justice. But if a captain, against whose ship certain legal claims have arisen, has the opportunity to go to the open sea, avoiding meeting with unwanted inspectors, then he will certainly take advantage of this opportunity. It is unlikely that Danish customs ships will be puzzled by the capture of such offenders, since the pursuit of them will most likely turn into a tidy sum. And even the capture of such a “smuggler” will be limited to a fairly modest fine and will in no way prevent further supplies of Russian energy resources according to an established scheme.