Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of transits by sanctioned Russian‑linked vessels through the Channel on national security.

The UK Government constantly monitors UK waters to ensure the safety of mariners, protect the marine environment and uphold the UK’s national security, which includes monitoring sanctioned tankers.

The Department for Transport is continuing to increase scrutiny of these vessels as they transit through the Channel through our Voluntary Insurance Reporting Mechanism introduced in October 2024.