UN Security Council Open Debate
Maritime security: Prevention, innovation and international cooperation to address emerging challenges
Statement by the Republic of Estonia, delivered by Ms. Kaisa Hanna Parel, Third Secretary at the Permanent Mission of Estonia to the UN
11 August 2025, New York
President,
Thank you for organizing this timely open debate. I would also like to thank the briefers for their valuable insights. We align with the statement delivered by the European Union.
As a coastal nation in the Baltic Sea region, Estonia is deeply aware of the evolving threats to maritime security. Today, I would like to focus on the threat posed by the rise of the so-called shadow fleet. This troubling development undermines international law and threatens both the security and the environment across global waters.
Many of these ships are operated by Russia. They are engaged in sanctions evasion, transporting Russian oil and other commodities, and they do it operating without proper registration, insurance, or safety oversight. Not only does this malign activity undermine the effectiveness of international sanctions regimes and the oil price cap, but it also brings significant revenues to Russia’s war budget, and thus, prolongs Russia’s illegal, unjustified and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine.
The substandard conditions of these vessels and their secretive operations greatly increase risks of maritime accidents, environmental disasters, and illicit activities. The potential for catastrophic spills or incidents is alarmingly high in all the regions where this fleet passes through. The challenges of responding to potential incidents are further exacerbated by the unclear ownership of these ships and the lack of insurance.
The Baltic Sea countries are actively working to counter this threat. We have agreed to further strengthen our cooperation and ensure a joint and coordinated approach by our national authorities to address Russia’s shadow fleet. The intent of this approach is to promote responsible behavior at sea, strengthen compliance with international law, and ensure transparency across maritime operations.
Yet, these efforts alone are not enough.
President,
This shadow fleet phenomenon and vessels operating without flags or under false flags demands a collective response. If we don’t react now, we might see a worldwide increase of ships operating under “flags of convenience” or flagless vessels avoiding detection and accountability. Often the shadow fleet use “ghost ship” tactics, increasing risks of smuggling, illegal fishing, or transporting contraband without accountability.
The deliberate use of shadow fleets undermines UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) principles by weakening collective enforcement mechanisms and fostering a precedent of impunity. It is essential to strengthen international legal tools and adopt innovative measures to track and penalize non-compliant vessels. Littoral states must stay vigilant and cooperate to uphold maritime governance.
President,
Addressing the shadow fleet, including flagless ships is essential for safeguarding maritime security, protecting marine environments, and upholding the rule of law at sea.
Thank you.