Dark Fleet Seeking Russian Protection as US Seizes Oil Tankers

The dark fleet of tankers shipping illicit oil around the world is rushing to seek the perceived protection of the Russian flag after the US started seizing vessels involved in the Venezuelan trade.

At least 26 ships have switched registration to Russia since the beginning of last month, with the bulk of those happening after the US snatched the Skipper supertanker off the coast of Venezuela on Dec. 10, according to Starboard Maritime Intelligence data. That’s a jump from six in November and just 14 over the previous five months.

About 13% of the almost 1,500 tankers that carry Russian, ...