• News
    • National
    • World
    • Politics
    • Business
    • Sensemaker
    • Data
  • Culture
    • Books
    • Film
    • Art
    • Music
    • TV
    • Theatre
    • Dance
    • Architecture
  • Style
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Beauty
    • Homes
    • Gardens
  • Ideas
    • Columnists
    • Profile
    • The Observer view
    • Obituary
  • Sport
    • Football
    • Cricket
    • Rugby Union
  • Food
    • Recipes
    • Cravings
    • Restaurants
    • Nigel Slater
    • Drink
  • Puzzles
    • Goldilocks
    • Everyman
    • Speedy
    • Azed
    • Gemelo
    • Sudoku
    • Lexipedia quiz
  • Listen
    • Top Shows
    • New Listens
    • Daily | Weekly
    • Investigations
  • Library
  • Print edition

Get full access to the app & website:

Subscribe

Shipping

Matt Russell

Britain slow to act against Kremlin’s ‘shadow fleet’ of sanction-busting tankers

America and other Nato allies have stopped ghost ships carrying £60bn of Russian crude oil a year, but the UK has failed to keep its promise

Tue 3 Feb 2026

Latest

Ian Ralby
Shadow fleets, ghost vessels and false flags: what the law says about seizing oil tankers

Thu 15 Jan 2026

Shadow fleets, ghost vessels and false flags: what the law says about seizing oil tankers
Becky Pinnington
Russia’s ghost fleet gliding through Channel despite UK’s pledge to act

Wed 14 Jan 2026

Russia’s ghost fleet gliding through Channel despite UK’s pledge to act
James Tapper
Climate change clears northern route for first container ship

Sun 26 Oct 2025

Climate change clears northern route for first container ship
Simon Barnes
‘Wait for the sun. Hope to survive’: My week as an Orange-tip butterfly

Sun 27 Apr 2025

‘Wait for the sun. Hope to survive’: My week as an Orange-tip butterfly

About

Contact usFAQsAbout us
Work with usCareersEditorial policy

Join

Journalism school
EventsShop

Follow

The Observer
The Observer Magazine
The ObserverNew Review
The Observer Food Monthly
Copyright © 2025 Tortoise Media|Privacy Policy|Terms & Conditions