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Seizing the shadow fleet - US tanker seizures, Russia's gambit and Ukrainian attacks

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  1. l_one
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    Sorry, no proper links in the description, too much on my to-do list (and executive dysfunction issues getting in the way - but yay for mental healthcare and meds, so maybe I'll actually get...

    Sorry, no proper links in the description, too much on my to-do list (and executive dysfunction issues getting in the way - but yay for mental healthcare and meds, so maybe I'll actually get around to it? Someday?). Description from Perun below, view page on YouTube to be able to click on the source links.

    ...

    Even before U.S. troops were sent in to Venezuela, the U.S. navy and coast guard had started targeted other, valuable assets - the Shadow Fleet tankers responsible for a share of Venezuela's oil exports.

    The so called shadow fleet has become a key feature of the system enabling exports of sanctioned or otherwise targeted oil from countries including Venezuela, Russia & Iran. This episode focuses on two recent events that might threaten its ability to operate effectively - U.S. seizures, and ongoing Ukrainian drone attacks.

    It also raises a question though - beyond the direct hard-power impacts of these moves, what are the potential implications for freedom of navigation, the norms of international shipping and trade, and what might that mean for a future conflict or crisis?

    Patreon:
    / perunau

    Reading and Sourcing (partial):

    UNCLOS (UN Convention on the Law of the Sea)
    https://www.un.org/depts/los/conventi...

    Office of the Staff Judge Advocate (INDOPACOM) - U.S. Position on the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea
    https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/cgi...

    Professor Andrew Serdy - US boards a ship sailing under a Russian flag: what we know and don’t know about the legal position
    https://theconversation.com/us-boards...

    CSIS - What the Bella-1 Teaches Us About Targeting Shadow Fleets
    https://www.csis.org/analysis/what-be...

    UNCTAD - Handbook of Statistics 2022 - Maritime transport
    https://unctad.org/system/files/offic...

    UNHCR on the U.S. Blockade against Venezuela
    https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releas...

    UK indicating belief they can legally act against shadow fleet tankers
    https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy8...

    Venezuela reopening wells after going to near zero
    https://www.reuters.com/business/ener...

    Russian media on ship seizure
    https://tass.com/world/2072749v

    Shadow Fleet tanker hit in the Mediterranean
    https://www.reuters.com/business/aero...

    Reporting on Chevron operations in Venezuela
    https://www.reuters.com/business/ener...

    Jennifer Parker - Maritime Boardings and International Law in the Venezuela Context
    https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-int...

    Tankers reflagging to Russia
    https://www.wsj.com/politics/national...

    US files warrants for additional tankers
    https://www.reuters.com/business/ener...

    Ukrainian or alleged Ukrainian attacks on merchant shipping in the Black Sea
    https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/...

    Included article on the shadow fleet
    https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-ag...

    Caveats & Comments:

    Nothing in this episode should be taken to represent an opinion or advice on any legal matter, including with regards to the potential application of domestic or international law to any of the events described or alluded to.

    All normal caveats and comments apply. In particular – I would like to note as always that this material has been created for entertainment purposes and is not intended to be a complete or comprehensive examination of the topic in question and should not be relied upon to inform financial or other similar decisions.

    Any content relating to the conduct, views, activities or any aspect of any person or character in this video is included for entertainment purposes and does not represent an assertion of fact on those matters or any matters in relation to that person or character.

    Care has been taken in compiling data, quotes, and other inputs from various sources but errors can occur. Quotes and included data should be considered illustrative, not definitive and their veracity should not be relied on.

    Timestamps:
    00:00:00 — Opening Words
    00:01:05 — What Am I Talking About?
    00:01:51 — Sanctions & the Shadow Fleet
    00:07:23 — the Venezuelan Blockade
    00:21:52 — Case Study: Bella 1 00:28:36 — Next Steps
    00:33:04 — the Ukrainian Effort
    00:36:39 — the Economic of Unfree Navigation
    00:45:06 — Free Navigation & the Future
    00:50:30 — Who Wins and Loses
    00:52:52 — Channel Update