The article explores the historical figure of Bartholomew Roberts, known as 'Black Bart,' who successfully commandeered the Portuguese merchant ship 'Sagrada Familia' by disguising his ship under a false flag. Roberts’s strategy was remarkably simple but effective, allowing him to blend into a Portuguese trade fleet and attack when the time was right, seizing a tremendous haul of valuables. This historical example reflects a contemporary tactic employed by modern maritime operations.

In the present day, this tactic of sailing under a false flag has resurfaced as a method for vessels operating under Russian, Venezuelan, or Iranian flags to circumvent Western sanctions on the transport of oil and other commodities. By masquerading under the flags of different countries, these ships aim to avoid detection and the severe penalties associated with sanctioned trade. This modern-day shadow fleet utilizes the same cunning and strategic deception that defined piracy centuries ago.

The implications of this tactic are significant, as it poses challenges for international maritime law and sanctions enforcement. The revival of such strategies raises questions about the effectiveness of current sanction frameworks and highlights the adaptability of maritime actors to exploit loopholes for economic gain, which may lead to lasting impacts in international relations regarding energy trade.