PISM: European tanker detentions raise costs for the shadow fleet but do not shrink it

European states carried out 18 interventions or attempted interventions against oil tankers between December 2024 and August 2026, led mainly by France and Sweden, according to a bulletin by the Polish Institute of International Affairs. Most ended in temporary detention, fines and proceedings against captains, typically over invalid flags. The author argues the actions add costs but have not significantly reduced the fleet, citing patchy coordination that diverts traffic, legal limits on permanent seizure and the expense of holding ships. The think tank calls for more inspections and a dedicated EU maritime operation.

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