Shandong Port Group, one of China’s top port operators, has introduced new restrictions on tankers under U.S. sanctions, as reported by Reuters and The Moscow Times.
Effective January 6, these tankers are now banned from docking, unloading, or using services at ports in Shandong Province.
This decision targets vessels linked to oil shipments from countries facing sanctions, such as Russia, Iran, and Venezuela.
Major affected ports include Qingdao, Rizhao, and Yantai, critical hubs for China’s oil imports.
Targeting Russia’s Shadow Fleet
The global shadow fleet, which bypasses international sanctions, includes approximately 669 tankers. Of these, around 250–300 are believed to be transporting Russian oil.
This crackdown coincides with increased international scrutiny of Russia's energy trade, which has generated $832 billion (€770 billion) in revenue since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.
The timing of these new rules is notable.
The Biden administration recently expanded sanctions targeting Iranian oil shipments, and President-elect Donald Trump is expected to introduce tougher measures after taking office on January 20.
