Indian Coast Guard seizes shadow oil tankers: Inside the hidden global oil trade

Last Updated: Feb 12 2026 | 2:20 PM IST

A hidden fleet of aging oil tankers is quietly reshaping global trade. After the Indian Coast Guard seized suspected shadow oil tankers off Mumbai, attention has once again turned to the world of “ghost ships” - vessels that transport sanctioned oil beyond regulation, oversight, and scrutiny. From ship-to-ship transfers in international waters to AIS transponders going dark, this parallel maritime network allows oil from Russia, Iran, and Venezuela to keep flowing despite sanctions. In this video, we explain: • What the shadow fleet is • How shadow tankers evade detection • Why 20% of global oil shipping may now operate this way • The environmental and geopolitical risks involved As sanctions tighten, the global oil trade is becoming more opaque than ever. Subscribe to Business Standard for more in-depth global explainers.

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