Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Government's press notice entitled Shadow fleet set to be interdicted in UK waters in latest blow to Russia, published on 25 March 2026, how many of the Russian shadow fleet vessels under UK sanctions have transited through the English Channel since the US operation to seize tanker Bella 1.

Deterring and disrupting the Russian shadow fleet, including those subject to sanctions, is a priority for the UK.

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.