Belgian Navy Warns of Russian 'Ghost Fleet' Threatening Maritime Security

The Belgian Navy is sounding the alarm over Russia's "ghost fleet," a collection of over a thousand vessels operating outside international norms to bypass sanctions and conduct illicit trade, primarily in oil and gas. Vice Admiral Tanguy Botman described these ships as behaving like smugglers on the high seas.

This fleet represents a significant component of a "hybrid war" that Russia is waging, characterized by activities that are difficult to attribute directly. Suspicious drone activity has been observed in proximity to these vessels, raising concerns about their potential involvement in espionage and infrastructure sabotage. Incidents like ships lingering in Belgian waters without clear reason or intentionally dragging anchors to damage undersea cables, as seen in the Baltic Sea, highlight the tangible nature of this threat.

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This ghost fleet is more than a thousand ships that are sanctioned because they have a false flag, because they do not comply with international conventions on security or the environment, etc. They behave like smugglers in international waters.

Admiral Botman emphasized that this hybrid threat is not diminishing but that Europe is improving its response. The implementation of protective structures has bolstered resilience, making the effects of Russian actions less visible and more contained than before. He cited the successful interception of the "Ethera" by Belgian forces as an example of measures that are bearing fruit.

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The hybrid threat is real. We see it every day, but its effects are better contained and less visible than before.

The "ghost fleet" vessels often operate under false flags or violate international maritime conventions regarding safety and environmental standards. Their increased escort by Russian warships and the implementation of countermeasures have led to a reduction in their traffic and forced them to take longer routes, such as sailing west of the United Kingdom instead of cutting through the North Sea.

Despite these efforts, the Belgian Navy faces its own challenges, including a potential capacity gap in frigates. However, the focus remains on adapting to the evolving nature of maritime threats and strengthening cooperative defenses within Europe to mitigate the risks posed by Russia's unconventional maritime operations.

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Exactly, we see that it is bearing fruit. With the measures we have taken, we realize that the boats are more regularly escorted by Russian warships, that there are fewer of them and therefore less traffic, that they also take detours.