Concerns raised over 'ghost fleet' oil tankers and environmental risks

Experts are warning about the environmental risks posed by 'ghost fleets,' which consist of older oil and LNG tankers used to bypass international sanctions. According to Rafael Muñoz, a doctor of maritime policy, these vessels operate within a pseudo-administrative framework that makes them difficult to regulate and holds them unaccountable in the event of an accident. Gonzalo Escribano, director of the Energy and Climate Program at the Elcano Royal Institute, noted that these ships are often aged and prone to failure. Recent incidents have highlighted these dangers, including a 40-kilometer oil spill along the Russian coast of the Black Sea and issues surrounding the LNG carrier Arctic Metagaz in Libyan waters. These fleets exploit loopholes in international maritime law to facilitate hydrocarbon transport for sanctioned nations. Experts characterize the phenomenon as a climate time bomb due to the high risk of catastrophic leaks. The lack of proper maintenance and legal oversight significantly increases the likelihood of maritime disasters.