Britain failed to stop the operation of ships guarding Russian tankers

GREAT Britain has been trying for more than a year to ban its licensed floating bases and confiscate the weapons used to guard Russian oil tankers, including those under sanctions against Russia, but has failed to achieve its goal, writes Bloomberg today.

According to the US agency, companies usually hire private armed guards to protect ships from piracy.

Such guards live on floating ships that are used as bases.

The use of armed security is often a prerequisite for securing cargo vessels during voyages.

Some of these floating bases, which are licensed by Britain, are now used to guard Russian oil tankers, the sale of which brings the Russian Federation huge profits, despite widespread sanctions, according to Bloomberg.

The British company “MNG Maritime” has issued licenses for several vessels used as bases and licenses for the firearms on board.

Last July, the British government revoked the licenses of these ships and banned British security companies from storing weapons there, but this did not stop their activities.

In addition, the weapons have not been returned, and Britain has been trying to get private security companies to return them for more than a year.

Bloomberg’s interlocutor noted that after the license is revoked, the weapon must be transferred to a licensed warehouse.

The company “MNG Maritime” later bought the company “Sinbad Navigation”, registered in Singapore, based in Dubai and changed its registration.

Today it is one of the few companies that still works with tankers that transport Russian oil.

One of Sinbad Navigation’s clients is the Russian Sovkomflot, which is under sanctions, according to documents seen by Blumberg.

The company “Sinbad Navigation” itself is not subject to sanctions, so it can provide services without violating the sanctions regime.

Now the British government cannot influence it, the agency interlocutors explain.

“The due diligence regime in the UK which should have properly assessed all the risks of these permits has simply failed and now we have UK-licensed weapons guarding Russian tankers delivering oil to fund the illegal war in Ukraine,” said the Labor MP. Liam Byrne.

He assessed that it is now vital that ministers reconsider the regime for licensing armories on ships.

(Tanjug)

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